The elderly Japanese American: aging among the first generation immigrants

The present paper examined the social disengagement theory, which suggests that older people often do not wish to maintain the same level of immersion in social relations as their age increases. The theory suggests that a voluntary, mutual withdrawal takes place on the part of the elderly and the rest of society. The study is based upon a national random sample of 1002 first generation Japanese Americans (Issei). The Issei were interviewed by bilingual Japanese American interviewers. The sample included 66% men and 34% women, whose median ages were 76 and 71 years, respectively, and whose median number of school years completed in Japan was eight. The paper examined a series of indicators of Issei social participation--visiting patterns with friends and relatives, interest in political affairs, and membership in voluntary organizations--to determine whether there was a differential level of social participation by age or sex. The results of the study indicated some support for the social disengagement thesis. The findings indicated that age is inversely related to social participation. One notable exception to this general pattern was found: visiting with Issei's children does not decrease with age. Findings are discussed in light of the theoretical implications of the social disengagement thesis for future research among racial and cultural minorities.