Introduction
This essay presents the results of Harvard Study Data and Census data comparison. Similarities and differences are analyzed in this paper. There are four aspects by which two of the sources are compared: gender, ethnicity, education, and income. The second part of the paper presents the evaluation of Vaillant’s study and its relevancy based on the conclusions from the comparison with the help of three examples.
Harvard Study Data and Census Data Comparison
Census data implies that the population of older women is higher than the number of older men; in 2012, the gender ratio was 129 women to 100 men (Administration on Aging Administration for Community Living, 2013). According to Harvard data, it can be said that it could not be determined whether there are more women than men, but 90 women participated in the study, and men tend to die earlier than women (Vaillant, 2009).
Non-Hispanic whites is the main element of the American elderly population (Administration on Aging Administration for Community Living, 2013). The population of the ethnic minorities is 21% of the total elderly population in the USA (Administration on Aging Administration for Community Living, 2013). In the Harvard study, the sample includes only whites; consequently, it does not provide information about other ethnicities. However, the majority of fathers’ participants have a foreign origin (Vaillant, 2009).
According to the data provided by Census Bureau, 83% of the elderly are high school graduates (Administration on Aging Administration for Community Living, 2013). Harvard data also implies that a majority of old people have a high school education; moreover, a significant amount of elderly, who experienced financial difficulties in their youth, graduated with honors (Vaillant, 2009).
A significant amount of families, who are living with a 65+ person, have an average income of approximately $49 000 (Administration on Aging Administration for Community Living, 2013). However, according to Harvard data people have the ability to dramatically improve their living conditions and have a successful rest of their life even though they had some troubles while being young, and the income is around $15 000 per person per year (Vaillant, 2009).
In conclusion, it can be said, that both sources of data have many similarities. However, Vaillant describes the idea of aging in more detail. Nevertheless, the facts regarding income and education are not as positive in real life as were presented in the study. According to the Census report, some part of the old people belongs to different races and ethnicities. This fact was not taken into account in Vaillant’s study.
Three Examples
Some of the organizations, who have their business in the art sphere, only can partially apply Vaillant’s study. Since some people have a tendency to become rich by the ’70s, they have the ability to purchase expensive materials to do the desired work and enjoy life. However, some elderly individuals who do not belong to Harvard graduates have a lower level of income and can not afford it.
Social workers while applying Vaillant’s study have to remember that the results are mainly focused on whites and do not provide information about other ethnical groups. Consequently, social workers have to understand the cultural differences and their impact on the behavior while having a conversation with a client.
Travel agents while offering the trips to the elderly can partly apply Valliant’s study, since, as it is mentioned, people spend less time at work, have time for traveling and a significant amount of income. However, the statistics show that the income is not that high and some people live in poverty.
References
Administration on Aging Administration for Community Living. (2013). A Profile of Older Americans: 2013. Washington, United States of America: Author.
Vaillant, G. (2002). Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from a Landmark: Harvard Study of Adult Development. New York, NY: The Hachette Book Group.