EFACE
Gerontology is the young study of an old problem. Throughout recorded
history， humans have been concerned with growing older--sometimes despair-
ing at the relentless passage of time; sometimes searching for a fountain of
youth or elixirs to restore declining vigor; and， on occasion， reflecting on the
wisdom or calm that the years have brought them. The systematic study of
aging， however， is a fairly recent phenomenon， becoming focused with the
founding of the Gerontological Society in 1945. Since that time it has grown
steadily， both as a discipline and as part of college curricula. One aspect of
gerontological research is certainly an understanding of the basic processes
of aging， with the age-old goal of discovering those keys that would prolong
and improve the quality of life. But more immediately， the study of aging is
concerned with integrating the later years into our view of human life.
We have often looked at development as something occurring only in
childhood and adolescence， with its goal the attainment of a plateau of
maturity and ability we call adulthood. But the possibilities for change and
growth throughout the adult years are great， even near the end of life where
one may be experiencing a decline in health or in some abilities. Develop-
ment is the process of our lives， and it does not cease at age 21 or 45 or 65:
only its focus changes.
A major purpose of this book is to explore the processes of developmen
in the later years and their impact on people s lives. This search is not withoul
pain or disappointment; however， involvement with older persons will brinE
students into contact with people who often long for human contact， whc
can be wise or sad or funny or foolish， but who give us a sense of our pas~
and a view of the present that otherwise would be lost to us. There is a specia!
delight in bridging over age differences with warmth and understanding. Ir
addition to our personal enrichment， a balanced view of aging， emphasizin~
both the continuing strengths and abilities as well as the difficulties that ma3
confront the old， is of value to the student who may enter a profession tha
directly serves older persons， or who may work as a volunteer，， or for.relating_
|
内容加载中，请稍后...
商品评论（0条）