Aging is a part of life, which can be different for every person. Some people manage to remain happy and full of vitality; others consider aging a tragedy and joyless life’s end. Anyway, this stage is inevitable, and it is necessary to understand what needs to be done to spend it successfully. Therefore, many psychologists, sociologists, and medical researchers have conducted various studies and surveys and developed diverse theories related to the peculiarities of aging. The researcher professors of Psychology and Sociology, Robert Crosnoe and Glen Elder Jr. (2002) present their point of view on this topic. They divide the men from 58 to 72 into four categories: well-rounded, successful in all spheres of life, family-focused, career-focused, and less adjusted (Crosnoe & Elder Jr., 2002). The authors conclude that entirely successful aging requires such constituents as physical and mental health, social engagement, family support, and career (Crosnoe & Elder Jr., 2002). They also consider aging as a long-life term, which means that circumstances of youth, for example, also impact it. Therefore, aging is a stage of life, which can be as happy and prosperous as other phases of life.
This well-grounded and logical research provides readers with many data and reasonable descriptions of constituents of successful aging. In addition, several data presented in the research surprise: for instance, the income level of career-focused people can be even less than the income of family-focused (Crosnoe & Elder Jr., 2002). This study offers several insights that should be used even by young people. Firstly, it is necessary to understand that although family and career are equally essential constituents of happiness, family support is indispensable. Secondly, the person’s aging depends on their youth and middle-aging: bad habits in the middle-age period decrease the chances for successful aging. Thus, this research is pretty informative and contributes to people’s understanding of the peculiarities of successful aging.
Reference
Crosnoe, R., & Elder Jr., G. H. (2002). Successful adaptation in the later years: A life course approach to aging. Social Psychology Quarterly, 65(4), 309-328. Web.