Aging Survey – When Does Development End?
Stefan Deutsch
1996-1998
Introduction
The options open to an aging population include retiring to a rocking chair, traveling, learning to play golf, volunteering for a worthy cause, babysitting their grandchildren or spending their days preoccupied with medical issues. Unfortunately we are not utilizing our greatest social resource if we continue to be ignorant of the fact that the latter stages of life can be the most powerful in terms transformation, both for the individual and society. In developmental theory, including positive aging or Tornstam’s Theory of Gerotranscendence, we lack the context of a final stage of development that promises full self actualization. By self–actualization I mean going from a lower level of power and effectiveness using the body, to a higher level using the brain, and finally to the highest level of power and effectiveness when including a concept of a developed self. Society and the science of human development need a new vision that highlights this stage in order to realize this goal.
Method
We interviewed over 350 adults 60 years and older attending 3 different senior fairs (events that focus on products and services for the aging population) with regard to which years of life are most suitable to: 1) learning, 2) loving unconditionally 3) developing potential, 4) the start of decline. Additionally we asked, 5) in which years of life can we change the world? 6) in which years of life does society need us the most? We gave respondents a series of numbered choices – 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and asked them to chose the one that comes closest to what they believe is correct and place it next to the question as their answer.
Results
For the first question most people responded that learning is possible throughout the lifespan. They claimed that loving unconditionally comes after the age of 50. Most people felt that the start of decline began in the 50’s or 60’s. Some felt it started in the 40’s. The answer to developing potential was confused with learning new things. This result was expected given that in the literature these two concepts are often confused. The answers to questions 5 and 6 were the most revealing and enlightening. Again, not surprising. The majority of respondents (over 70%) answered 30’s or 40’s to both questions. No respondent thought that 60+ were the years when one can change the world.
Discussion
Overall we were interested in what vision is motivating the senior population. Our hypothesis is that vision or context determines choices. Seniors do not have a context that suggests that the years after 60 are for developing potential although they do feel that learning is possible. In actuality, as mentioned, most people confused learning new things like computers or golf, with developing potential.
It is interesting that the collective and individual vision we now have for people in the older age group limits the possibility of changing the world. We need a new vision that focuses on the later years being a time when we come into our full power. Using the word “power” doesn’t mean “the rich and powerful” or people who use power over others. We are using it in a sense that we have the ability to become fully empowered. That we can work as aware human beings who can create clear visions and communicate them in an inspiring manner. This way we can move other human beings in a positive manner.
Currently most people as they grow older view themselves as more on the sidelines of society than as the movers and shakers. The vision is to be comfortably retired, attending to one’s own needs, being helpful with grandchildren, and perhaps being active in some cause. Older adults see themselves as physically weaker, less attractive, and hoping that they don’t lose their memory. Drug companies constantly bombard older adults with messages about physical decline, illness, and their adult children think they know everything better than their parents. This is the general view of aging as declining in power, involvement and effectiveness. We believe this is the opposite of what nature intended for human beings to experience. Nature intended for human beings to continually develop their potential power, well into their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, which would lead to them being more involved, more effective, more influential as they age. Instead of seeing one's role in society becoming more limited we'd like to see the 'Gandhi Effect'. We believe each human being has the potential to have that very power develop and can be taught to look forward to developing and using it for the greater good.
The study underscores the need for educating the general public about The Continuum Theory’s™ concept of lifespan development as a 3-stage process, the 3rd stage being the most powerful, in order to facilitate the realization of an empowered and empowering group of older citizens, LifePros™, in our vernacular. Click here to read more about The Continuum Theory™ of Human Development.
