Leisure
Leisure is one area in which two of the theories within social gerontology are reflected. As mentioned in the summary of the data, some of the respondents carry their social activities from the past into old age. On the other hand, some of them seem to not be able to participate due to physical limitations.
One interesting example of the first is Stefanía who has been seeking active social participation by going to the public swimming pool. As the continuity theory suggests, individuals are more inclined to bring their former ideals or personality with them into old age. Going to the swimming pool for Stefanía could be her way of holding onto one of her former habits that she has kept throughout her life, and this might also be an
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She also feels that her work is getting useless or superfluous, for she believes that young people do not appreciate it anymore. So, in this sense, Luigia has left a habit or a part of her lifestyle and modified her belief on embroidery and on young people.
Physical limitations
In continuation to this, physical limitations are seen as being a big part of the interviewees’ lives and a big part of aging. To refer back to Luigia once more, her arthritis prevents her from doing activities such as embroidering. This is just one example of the fact that physical limitations are the main reasons for quitting activities, as it is mentioned in both the continuity and activity theory.
This is also seen in the statement from Vitale who, while reflecting upon his life, expresses the following about aging and old age: “I have now started to feel aches and pains that I have never felt before. Back in the days, I have never felt anything. But nowadays I actually have some aches…”. This expresses the impact that aging has on the body and how these effects are contributing to the decrease in social activities and thereby to a diminishment of being visible in society.