Retirement resulted in increases in drinking problems and psychological anxiety for both men and women. Intervention strategies are discussed and recommended based on how retirees experience symptoms. Gerontologists must recognize how significantly gender and retirement impact on the mental health of older persons and consider these factors in their practice. Drastic decreases in income characterize retirement for women. Women are living longer, healthier lives and because of this, many are in danger of outliving their economic resources.
Women plan less frequently for retirement than men.
The reasons for failing to prepare for retirement are, in part, related to the traditional roles of women in society, roles emphasizing inferiority, dependency and passivity. Female self-image and fear of growing old inhibit women from aggressively and independently planning for their retirement. Although the health and social benefits of physical activity have been well documented, a majority of females at every life stage are insufficiently active to acquire those benefits. Explanations for this lack of commitment to physical activity have not been found. Marriage, as a social role and life circumstance, has been neglected as a possible explanation for the inactive life patterns of women.