Aging in America to the twenty-first century and beyond : a study of its effect upon society with a focus on the response of church and religion

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Authors
Kirchner, Jack M.
Advisor
Issue Date
1989
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.A.)
Department
Department of Sociology
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The principal objective of this thesis is to examine aging in America. A rapidly maturing population presents an enormous challenge to societal order throughout these united States. Federally funded and State supported service groups are struggling to create definitive programs which will give meaningful answers to the multidimensional problems that are confronting the elderly. This means that present health and human service providers will, of necessity, need to gain the involvement of private citizens and institutions.Any treatise serving to address the problems of this nation's aging population growth pattern, must consider that failure to act will irreparably devalue people and the whole social order. With that in mind, this writer will focus the reader's attention upon the following:1. an overview of the problem including what it is like to be old, what most people sense it means to be aged, what misconceptions about aging are still held as truths, and what compromises will be necessitated by longevity of life;2. demographic phenomena to record certain salient and social statistics that are important to the nation and every person who resides here; and,3. religious groupings and church organizations to determine what contributions and responses will be emerging from their interest in the elderly.The conclusion will bring cohesion to the thesis and a reality to the necessity for action in America.