Question 1

________ take place at expected times in a person's life. These events (e.g., high school graduation, religious confirmation, retirement) mark entry in a new status or position in society.

Accepted Answer

Age-graded normative life events refer to events that take place at expected times in a person's life and mark entry into a new status or position in society, such as high school graduation or retirement.

Question 2

Gerontologists describe widowhood as a(n)

Accepted Answer

Gerontologists view widowhood as an expectable or age-graded normative life event, meaning that it is a common and expected experience for individuals as they age. This is in contrast to avoidable life events or events with loosely defined roles and expectations. While widowhood may bring changes to an individual's status or role within their community or society, it is not typically seen as a rise in status among older women.

Question 3

As of 2010, about __% of people age 45 and over in the United States had married at least once.

Accepted Answer

As of 2010, about 90% of people age 45 and over in the United States had married at least once, reflecting the high prevalence of marriage within this age group.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about marriage is false?

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that a bad marriage can lead to lower life satisfaction, while a strong network of friends and family is a protective factor for well-being.

Question 5

Married couples have lower rates of hospitalization and nursing home placements because they

Accepted Answer

Married couples offer one another a live-in support system, which can reduce the need for hospitalization or nursing home placements. They can provide emotional and physical support to each other and monitor each other's health, leading to better overall health outcomes. The other options (A, B, and C) are not related to lower rates of hospitalization and nursing home placements.

Question 6

Even a good relationship will face a number of strains in later life. For instance,

Accepted Answer

Caregiving for a spouse or loved one can be a common stressor in later life and can lead to strains in marital satisfaction. This can include physical and emotional burnout, financial burdens, and a shift in the dynamic of the relationship. While the other options may also create strains in relationships, caregiving is a well-documented stressor for couples in later life.

Question 7

Cohabitation may make good economic sense for older people who are

Accepted Answer

Cohabitation can be a financially sensible option for older individuals who might lose benefits, such as pension or social security benefits, if they remarry.

Question 8

Divorce in later life often means loss of ________ for women and ________ for men.

Accepted Answer

Divorce in later life often results in women experiencing a loss of economic security due to factors such as disparities in earnings and savings over a lifetime. Men, on the other hand, may face a loss of social networks, as they might have relied more on their spouse for social connections.

Question 9

The proportion of people married at a given age ________ from middle age onward.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the proportion of people married starts to decrease from middle age and beyond. This could be due to factors such as divorce, death of a spouse, and individuals choosing not to get married. Therefore, option A is the best choice.

Question 10

________ explains most of the decrease in the marriage rate of older people.

Accepted Answer

Widowhood often results in individuals not remarrying, which can explain much of the decrease in the marriage rate for older people.

Question 11

In 2015, there were over ________ times as many widows as widowers.

Accepted Answer

According to the given information, we need to find the ratio of widows to widowers in 2015. Let the number of widowers be represented by 'x'. Then, the number of widows would be 4x (as there were over 4 times as many widows as widowers). Therefore, the total number of individuals would be x + 4x = 5x. Since we are only interested in the ratio of widows to widowers, we can ignore the total number of individuals and focus on the ratio of widows to widowers, which is 4x/x = 4. Hence, there were 4 times as many widows as widowers. Therefore, the best choice is B) 4.

Question 12

Which of the following does not account for the higher rate of widowhood for women?

Accepted Answer

Men dying shortly after their spouse does not contribute to the higher rate of widowhood for women. Instead, factors like women's longer life expectancy, the tendency for women to marry older men, and men's higher likelihood of remarrying after a spouse's death contribute to the disparity.

Question 13

After the loss of a spouse, studies show that

Accepted Answer

Studies indicate that men often experience greater loneliness after the loss of a spouse due to typically having fewer social supports and confidants compared to women.

Question 14

Compared to older women, older men have a remarriage rate

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that older men have a remarriage rate that is six times higher than that of older women.

Question 15

In coping with the loss of a spouse,

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that men tend to experience more decline in social functioning after the loss of a spouse, whereas women are more likely to develop confidante relationships with friends, family, or other support systems. This difference may be due to societal expectations that men will be more stoic and self-reliant, whereas women are encouraged to seek out emotional support from others.

Question 16

Older people often express two reasons why they resume dating:

Accepted Answer

Older people often resume dating to find a marital partner as they may have lost their previous partner due to various reasons. They also want to stay socially active and maintain their social connections. While dating may also provide an outlet for romance, the primary reason is to find companionship and support in their later years.

Question 17

Given good health and a partner, older people can remain sexually active until

Accepted Answer

According to the statement, given good health and a partner, older people can remain sexually active until late old age. Therefore, Option D is the best choice. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they all suggest an earlier age limit for sexual activity than what is stated in the statement.

Question 18

People can adapt to many physical changes in their bodies and still enjoy a good sex life. But this requires

Accepted Answer

Adapting to physical changes in the body and maintaining a good sex life in later years requires knowledge about sex in later life and good communication between partners. This can allow couples to navigate any physical limitations or differences and find new ways to enjoy intimacy together. Access to medical equipment may be helpful in some cases, but it is not necessary for all couples. Retaining the same steady pattern of sexual activity may not be possible or desirable as couples age and face different challenges. Trust between partners is important in any relationship, but particularly important during times of vulnerability, such as when dealing with physical changes. However, the most important factor in adapting to physical changes and maintaining a good sex life in later years is knowledge and communication.

Question 19

Later life is a good time to explore sexual potential because

Accepted Answer

Older couples can develop a unique intimacy based on subtle forms of touch and holding with or without intercourse. While time and energy could be factors, they are not the main reason why exploring sexual potential in later life is beneficial. The absence of reproductive function is also not the primary reason. Instead, the focus is on the unique intimacy that can be developed through subtle forms of touch and holding, which can lead to a new level of connection and pleasure for both partners.

Question 20

A myth exists that older gays and lesbians live lonely lives. This statement is ________ because ________.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that older gays and lesbians report good mental health, positive views on aging, and have supportive social networks. The myth of loneliness for older gays and lesbians is based on outdated stereotypes and discrimination, rather than actual experiences of this population.

Quiz 12: Family Life and Relationships