Abstract:

Jay Gubrium's social environmental theory of aging (1973) postulates the utilization of activity resources in the personal, social, or fiduciary domain developed during the active years & exchanged as age increases. Success in aging depends on making favorable exchanges & maintaining independence. Described here is how aged coloureds in Grahamstown, South Africa, utilize their social networks & support groups to avoid loneliness, drawing on interview data collected 1992/93 from 100 men & women ages 65+ & a control group of 100 adults ages 30-55. While they are still ambulatory, the aged visit neighbours & friends or participate in an old age club. However, in a compressed economy with double-digit inflation, they have one secure item for exchange - their pensions - that provides for their basic needs & assures the support of their family. Thus, their primary security is in the social environment & is guaranteed by their fiduciary role.