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Miss Daisy Disengagement Theory

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One theory that could be applied to the characters in this film is the role theory which was developed in the 1940’s and focused on the roles that people play and how the loss of your “role” could promote an identity crisis (Michael & Rowe, 2004). Hoke recently lost his job as a chauffeur for a judge and was in need of work. Miss Daisy was no longer able to drive, so Hoke was hired by Miss Daisy’s son Boolie to be her chauffeur. Miss Daisy had been widowed for an unknown period of time but had difficulty adjusting to her loss of independence of not being able to drive. Hoke was determined to remain active in life. Both of their roles in life, at least more recent ones, were changing. This theory does not support the depth of change that take place throughout the aging process. The disengagement theory, developed in the early 1960’s, states that older people should begin to bow out of social situations so the next generation can step in (Michael & Rowe, 2004). One part of this theory states that disengagement begins at widowhood for some women, but Miss Daisy was certainly active in social situations at this point in her life and not yet showing signs of disengaging. The disengagement theory is also said to be a way for the older person to begin to prepare for death as the …show more content…

Setting and keeping goals is important to significance in life as well as maintaining healthy relationships (Grossman & Lange, 2006). While Miss Daisy and Hoke’s relationship was just developing, Miss Daisy was a long-standing member of her church and she had friends in what appeared to be a long-term relationships. Idella, Miss Daisy’s housekeeper, had also been around for many years and they had formed a different type of long-term relationship, one where Miss Daisy determined they knew how to stay out of each other’s

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