Classical Theories in the Hands of the Everyday: Lay Perceptions of Aging Well and Retirement in Singapore

Abstract For decades, gerontologists have competed to objectively define the ideal later life, often eliding the subjective perspectives of older adults. Yet, definitions of successful aging are only meaningful intersubjectively, making lay evaluations crucial to ground theoretical models in the realities they are meant to serve. Such gaps are consequential to the alignment of retirement policies and workplace arrangements with the experiences of older adults. This study explores Singaporean older adults’ lay evaluations of three classic theories of aging: the Activity (AT), Continuity (CT), and Disengagement theories of aging (DT). Data from the Lifelong Education for Aging Productively (LEAP) in Singapore project was used. 2545 respondents, aged 65 and above, evaluated the propositions of each classic theory. Venn diagram, latent class analysis (LCA) and regression models were used to classify perception types among older adults and examine their correlates. Results show that all three theories found support amongst older Singaporeans, with approximately 60% of respondents supporting more than one theory. Five types of lay preferences were identified via LCA, and they were found to be racially and socioeconomically patterned. While the relevance of the theories is demonstrated, this study reveals lay evaluations to be neither universal, nor reducible to idiosyncratic preferences, and instead diverse and multifaceted, structured by socioeconomic and racial factors. Findings challenge the notion of a singular ideal pathway in later life transitions, suggesting the need for an array of retirement and workplace arrangements, as well as identified groups that may need particular attention for inclusive policymaking.