Barbara Payne

OLDER WOMEN: AN EXAMINATION OF POPULAR STEREOTYPES AND RESEARCH EVIDENCE*

The older woman in our society is socially devalued and is subject to a number of harmful, negative stereotypes that picture her as sick, sexless, uninvolved except for church work, and alone. Moreover, when researchers study the aged, they too often fail to analyze the data for females separately from that of males, thus glossing over the differences and losing valuable information. It is possible, however, using data from studies which have used sex as an independent variable, to demythologize the older woman somewhat by separating the characteristics which are uniquely female from those of males and those common to the sexes. This paper, then, examines stereotypical images of the older woman in three major areas: (1) health and longevity; (2) marital status and family roles; and (3) leisure activity. Several unresolved questions and areas for future research are suggested, and the implications of this analysis for such research is discussed.

Religious Patterns and Participation of Older Adults: A Sociological Perspective.

This article examines patterns of religious behavior and participation of older adults from a sociological perspective from five areas: (a) a social profile of religious participation (b) a profile of patterns of religious behavior of the elderly, (c) the effects of age, period, and cohort on the socialization to religious practice, (d) the meaning and role of organized religion for older adults, and (e) the implication of these practices for future cohorts of older adults, religious organizations and society. Although more adults say that they rely on established patterns of religious practice and continue to participate until late life, about one‐fourth of the elderly disaffiliate or decrease their activities. The established churches and synagogues are predicted to be an increasing source of social, physical, and psychological support for older adults; older adults, in turn, will be recognized as new resources for the congregations, and the increase in the proportion of older members will impact the pr...

Three Seminaries and a Gerontology Center in Atlanta

Summary This section provides a description of Atlanta experience by the co-directors of the project. There is a brief history of the three seminaries and the gerontology center. Some responses of the students to the experience, a brief faculty survey and some suggestions for an introductory course complete this section.