Sex differences in perceptions of aging

This study extends earlier work on perceptions of aging by assessing sex differences and by focusing on specific events of aging, rather than global perceptions. Thirty persons over sixty-five years were asked individually to rate the difficulty of sixteen events for themselves, other women, and other men. The general finding of previous studies that difficulty for oneself is not as great as for others was replicated. Also, there was no difference in the difficulty overall for men and women. However, both these findings must be interpreted in the light of a significant (p less than .01) interaction between sex of other person and specific events. Change in appearance, departure of children, and decrease in time with children are seen as more difficult for other women. Increased leisure time, decreased strength, and retirement are seen as more difficult for other men. Statements regarding difficulty of aging ought to be precise to as sex and specific events of aging.