Disengagement theory

The disengagement theory of ageing states that "aging is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and others in the social system he belongs to".

[1] The theory claims that it is natural and acceptable for older adults to withdraw from society.

[3][4] Disengagement theory was formulated by Cumming and Henry in 1961 in the book Growing Old and was the first theory of aging that social scientists developed.

Since then, it has faced strong criticism since the theory was proposed as innate, universal, and unidirectional.

Cumming and Henry provided the following nine postulates for the "process of disengagement":

The disengagement theory states that older adults withdraw from personal relationships and society as they age.