200226

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1 Ageing and Gerontology Student’s First Name, Middle Initial(s), Last Name Institutional Affiliation Course Number and Name Instructor’s Name and Title Assignment Due Date

2 Ageing and Gerontology Introduction The life stories of senior people have lately shed light into many aspects of the complex issues of what it means to age. In this case, a comprehensive interview of pseudonym Mr. Wong who is a 75 year old citizen of Hong Kong will be carried out for the purposes of this project. This paper will use concepts of social gerontology such as Life Course Theory or the Ecological Systems Theory to examine and evaluate Mr. Wong’s life trajectory or the lifespan perspective adopted in this study. The study, therefore, contributes toward a better understanding of different dimensions of aging and highlights the importance of theoretical constructs in revealing the intricacies in the life trajectories of older persons. Life Course Theory Application The Life Course Theory has an elaborate approach towards explaining the different phases and changes undergone by an individual over time while adjusting for the social, historical, and culturally contextual factors (Holman & Walker, 2021). Mr. Wong’s biography exemplifies how accurate this theory actually is. He comes from Hong Kong, he was born in 1948, at a period of enormous social and economic change. Mr. Wong’s life is examined from all angles ranging from his childhood, education, work, family and finally retirement. All these detailed analyses show how external determinants have affected his experiences, shaping and changing his life. Through its capture of the nuances behind Mr. Wong’s history, Dannefer (2020) asserts that Life Course theory comes to manifest itself as an effective tool, demonstrating the relationship between individual growth and its linkages to the overarching transformations that have occurred across society in the past and present. Childhood and Early Experiences

3 Amidst the post-war backdrop of Hong Kong, Mr. Wong's early years unfold as a poignant narrative influenced by scarcity, British colonial rule, and the emergence of a burgeoning local identity. The Life Course Theory's principle that early experiences mold later life outcomes is vividly demonstrated in Mr. Wong's account. The scarcity of resources during his formative years serves as a crucible for developing resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic (Holman & Walker, 2021). The challenges stemming from limited resources and a shared struggle intertwine to create a profound community bond among his peers, shaping his individual character and contributing to the establishment of a distinct social identity. Viewed through this perspective, Mr. Wong's childhood serves as a microcosm of broader societal transformations, illustrating how early experiences act as foundational elements that resonate throughout an individual's life—a principle deeply ingrained in the essence of Life Course Theory. Education and Career Transitions The Life Course Theory emphasizes the pivotal role of educational and career paths in influencing an individual's life trajectory (Dannefer, 2020). Mr. Wong's journey through the education system and subsequent career decisions stands as a poignant reflection of the societal values and opportunities prevailing during his time. His coming of age coincided with the unraveling of industrial revolution in Hong Kong, which paralleled the global shift away from an industry-based to a services-based society. According to the Life Course theory, this could be explained giving a more refined depiction of how people’s decisions interact with the influences from the economic and historical aspects of their lives (Zacher & Froidevaux, 2021). A review of Mr. Wong’s education and occupations shows how strong this theory is in unraveling the intricate interplay effects that take place between individual agency and the wider societal forces that impact an individual’s life.

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4 Family Dynamics and Midlife Transitions The Life Course Theory gives a full explanation of Mr. Wong’s experiences applied to family life and midlife transitions. According to Dannefer (2020), the theory provides an opportunity for examining his efforts to establish a family, rear children and other mid-life barriers that he faced. The importance of shared fates and intergenerational relationships is evident as Mr. Wong details how he ages and where his children go. The interview offers new approach to the issue of changing relationships of people at home with their particular roles and responsibilities within it networked to each other. In such a case, Zacher and Froidevaux (2021) portend that the life course theory is applied as a reference frame aimed at elucidating the complicated relationships existing between various aspects of one’s individual biography and connected family chronologies and therefore gaining a deep interpretation of the familial facet of aging. At each stage of his narrative, it emerges that Mr. Wong’s actions are not separate stories or events. Instead, they are closely connected to the background or history of his own family. Besides, Mr. Wong acknowledges that he played a very crucial role, which dictated how his children would perform academically and at workplace. The children’s performance has immensely influenced how meaningful Mr. Wong feels about himself. A vivid demonstration of the Life Course Theory as applied in different life stages, showing how related generations’ lives affect one another reciprocally can be seen in this inter-generational reciprocity (Missmer et al., 2021). The interview also highlights the pleasures and difficulties of preserving intergenerational relationships. Mr. Wong talks about how his connections with his adult children have changed over time, striking a careful balance between offering assistance and fostering independence. Life Course Theory is not only strengthened but validated by these discoveries, since Mr.

5 Wong's family story becomes a microcosm of the larger societal changes and patterns entwined with aging. Retirement and Later Life Mr. Wong's retirement is a significant turning point in his life transition, offering a comprehensive examination of the social and psychological aspects within the context of Life Course Theory. The idea recognizes retirement as a separate stage that takes on multiple dimensions for Mr. Wong, influenced by complex interactions between social network upkeep, health concerns, and financial stability (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2010). Psychologically, Mr. Wong struggles with redefining his purpose and identity after retirement. His conscious attempts to develop new hobbies and partake in activities that make him feel fulfilled are revealed in the conversation. The claim made by Life Course Theory—that human growth is a continuous, adaptive process impacted by both internal and external factors—is supported by this psychological adjustment (Dannefer, 2020). In terms of social work, he actively engages in community activities, demonstrating his recognition of the importance of social networks in later life and supporting the theory's emphasis on the social embeddedness of aging. The interview emphasizes how maintaining social ties becomes an essential part of overcoming retirement's obstacles like identity shifts, challenges in adjusting to a post-career lifestyle, and potential isolation, which is consistent with the holistic viewpoint of Life Course Theory (Mund & Nestler, 2019). Furthermore, by highlighting the connections between different life stages, the application of life course theory to Mr. Wong's retirement trip deepens the story. The idea makes it possible to investigate the ways in which cultural and historical developments have shaped retirement expectations and experiences.

6 Physical, economical, and mental wellbeing Mr. Wong takes part in the community affairs showing concern about health issues and the body fitness. His body has been kept in a healthy state through regular exercises and balanced diet. His successful passage through Hong Kong’s economic shifts shows an economically stable position that will ensure him a comfortable life after retirement. The assurance that comes as a result of the financial security has helped in enhancing his cognitive development and positive frame of mind about the difficulties associated with growing old. Therefore, Mr. Wong’s multidimensional framework for wellness reflects the link between health, wealth, and psyche during the elderly years. Ecological Systems Theory Application The theory of ecological systems provides an additional viewpoint for understanding aging in the context of social systems. The theory holds that several layers of environmental systems, from the microsystem (individual interactions) to the macrosystem (cultural and societal influences), have an impact on individuals. From an ecological point of view, Mr. Wong’s biography exhibits different sets of systems, which have created and influenced Mr. Wong’s ageing. Microsystem: Interpersonal Relationships and Support Networks Mr. Wong shows how important people and social groups are in determining his destiny at the micro level. It explores the multifaceted dimensions of the family life which Mr. Wong shares with his wife who remains a source of emotional strength throughout and the close-knit generational network consisting of Mr. Wong’s children and him. A major microsystem emerges through friends who impact on his making of decisions and provide him with necessary emotional support. The professional microsystem is also explored, clarifying how relationships

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7 with colleagues throughout his career influenced coping mechanisms and overall life satisfaction (Evans, 2020). This thorough exploration sheds light on the interdependence between Mr. Wong and his microsystem, illustrating the theory's assertion that close connections play a vital role in shaping an individual's experiences and well-being within their immediate social environment. Mesosystem: Interactions between Microsystems Mr. Wong's narrative intricately reflects the principles of Ecological Systems Theory, with a particular emphasis on the mesosystem and the interactions among different microsystems in his life (Evans, 2020). The interview illustrates how changes in one microsystem have far- reaching effects on others, underscoring the interconnectedness of family, work, and community spheres. The transition into retirement for Mr. Wong, for instance, had noticeable ripple effects that extended beyond his personal life, influencing his social connections and community engagement. This highlights the holistic and interrelated nature of individuals within their larger social surroundings and exemplifies the central idea of the theory that dynamics within one system can dramatically affect others (Thuesen et al., 2023). Mr. Wong's experiences become a microcosm of the complex web of linkages and influences when viewed through the lens of ecological systems theory, offering a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between multiple systems that define an individual's life trajectory. Exosystem: External Influences According to the tenets of ecological systems theory, the interview delves into the exosystemic level of Mr. Wong's life and emphasizes the profound impact of outside forces on his experiences. Through his story, Mr. Wong shows how government policies, economic developments, and broader society changes interact intricately to shape his life in an unintentional way. An important turning point in his career decisions is the shift from an

8 industrial to a service-based economy, which illustrates how dynamic the exosystem is (Czernek- Marszałek, 2020). The conversation goes beyond specific microsystems to reveal how the outside factors influenced Mr. Wong's life's course, brought chances, and posed difficulties. Crawford (2020) documents that Ecological Systems Theory provides a strong framework that allows for a detailed analysis of the complex interactions between people's lives and larger social structures, which improves our understanding of the various factors that affect a person's life path, such as Mr. Wong. Macrosystem: Cultural and Societal Context From a macrosystem perspective, it involves looking at how Mr. Wong’s experiences are influenced by Hong Kong’s culture and social framework. The interview reveals valuable details on how different historical events and cultural practices have impacted Mr. Wong’s perception of such topics as retirement, aging, and intergenerational relations. He illustrates this point with talks that show his opinion has been affected by the history like the ending of the British colonial domination. This clearly shows that besides other external cultural factors, Mr. Wong’s views towards family role and societal norms were greatly influenced by his surroundings in a broad sense. Crawford (2020) asserts that Ecological systems theory provides an explanatory framework that can help analyze how the macrosystem shapes personal experiences as it affects them directly. Conclusion The application of the life course theory and the ecological systems theory has enabled an exhaustive investigation of the intricacies associated with the aging process when based on the analysis of the interview with Mr. Wong. Life course theory illustrates this dynamic interaction between sociocultural, historical, and economic forces through each of the life cycle stages in the

9 life journey of Mr. Wong. Additionally, Ecological Systems Theory has revealed the complex web of connected microsystems, mesosystems and exosystems as well as macrosystems that have influenced his life trajectory and experiences. In essence, this project adds on to the comprehension of gerontology and aging, highlighting the need for inclusive frameworks towards the appreciation of the complexity of individual lifelines within societal environments.

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10 References Crawford, M. (2020). Ecological Systems theory: Exploring the development of the theoretical framework as con-ceived by Bronfenbrenner. J Pub Health Issue Pract , 4 (2), 170. https://doi.org/10.33790/jphip1100170 Czernek-Marszałek, K. (2020). Social embeddedness and its benefits for cooperation in a tourism destination. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management , 15 , 100401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2019.100401 Dannefer, D. (2020). Systemic and reflexive: Foundations of cumulative dis/advantage and life- course processes. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B , 75 (6), 1249-1263. doi:10.1093/geronb/gby118 Evans, O. G. (2020). Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. https://www.simplypsychology.org/bronfenbrenner.html Holman, D., & Walker, A. (2021). Understanding unequal ageing: towards a synthesis of intersectionality and life course analyses. European Journal of Ageing , 18 (2), 239-255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-020-00582-7 Hooyman, N. R., & Kiyak, H. A. (2010). Social Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Missmer, S. A., Tu, F. F., Agarwal, S. K., Chapron, C., Soliman, A. M., Chiuve, S., ... & As- Sanie, S. (2021). Impact of endometriosis on life-course potential: a narrative review. International Journal of General Medicine , 9-25. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S261139

11 Mund, M., & Nestler, S. (2019). Beyond the cross-lagged panel model: Next-generation statistical tools for analyzing interdependencies across the life course. Advances in Life Course Research , 41 , 100249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcr.2018.10.002 Thuesen, J., Feiring, M., Doh, D., & Westendorp, R. (2023). Reablement in need of theories of ageing: Would theories of successful ageing do? Ageing & Society, 43 (7), 1489-1501. doi:10.1017/S0144686X21001203 Zacher, H., & Froidevaux, A. (2021). Life stage, lifespan, and life course perspectives on vocational behavior and development: A theoretical framework, review, and research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior , 126 , 103476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103476

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