ERIC Number: ED226851
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1982-Mar-31
Pages: 11
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of Intergenerational Programs on Children's Growth and on Older Persons' Life Satisfaction.
Newman, Sally
Several studies have reported that older persons' decline in life satisfaction and younger persons' increase in negative stereotypes toward the aged seem to be connected to the societal trend of separation between the generations. To counteract this trend intergenerational programs are being developed nationwide that provide for frequent and meaningful contact between young and old. This paper reports on intergenerational programs in schools. Anecdotal reports from these programs suggest that relationships are developing between children and older volunteers which seem to affect children's learning as well as their attitudes toward older people, and older persons' feelings of self-worth. Information gathered informally from participants in the Senior Citizen School Volunteer Program, one of the Generations Together programs based at the University of Pittsburgh, support such findings. To obtain a clearer picture of intergenerational contact and attitudes, children's perception of the elderly and children's view on aging was investigated in a study involving 256 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children. What children know about aging, how they feel about being old or growing old, and what their behavioral intentions are regarding older people were explored. The study also tested the effect of consistent social contact with elderly persons on children's attitudes toward old age. Results are discussed. (RH)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A