The participation of the black aged in voluntary associations

Racial differences in membership in and attendance of voluntary associations were analyzed for comparable samples of 753 black and 260 white residents of Philadelphia age 65 and over. A hypothesis suggesing aged blacks have higher rates of participation than aged whites was derived from the literature and tested by regression analysis. Potentially confounding variables, e.g., health and socioeconomic status, were entered into the regression equation as controls. The results of the regression analysis indicated the black aged belonged to more associations than the white aged and had higher rates of attendance. Examination of findings previously reported by Kent and Hirsch (1972) indicates part of the difference is due to the greater participation of aged blacks in church-related groups. Implications of the findings are briefly discussed.