2-39. True. About 3% more of the aged have incomes below the official poverty level than the rest of the population. In 1978, that was about 14% of persons 65 or over had incomes below the official government poverty thresholds (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1980).

2-40. True. The rate of poverty among aged Blacks is about 3 times as high as among Whites. In 1978 the rate of poverty among Blacks 65 or over was 43% compared to 12% for Whites (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1980).

2-41. False. Older persons who disengage from active roles do not tend to be happier than those who remain active. On the contrary, most surveys and longitudinal studies have found that those who remain active tend to be happier than those who disengage, although some studies found no relationship between activity and happiness (George & Maddox, 1977; Simpson & McKinney, 1966).

2-42. False. When the last child leaves home, the majority of parents do not have serious problems adjusting to their empty nest. Glenn (1975) concluded that the last child leaving home does not typically have an enduring negative effect. Life satisfaction and happiness can increase significantly after the last child leaves home (Palmore, Cleveland, Nowlin, Ramm, & Siegler, 1979).

2-43. True. The proportion widowed is decreasing among the aged because of decreasing mortality rates. In 1950, 40.1% of those 65 or over were widowed while in 1978 it was 36.6% (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1979). Apparently, increasing longevity increased the average age of widowhood and thus increases the proportion of years beyond age 65 in which the couple survives as a couple.