“Faces of Golden Years”: The Lived Experiences of the Retired Public School Teachers
Abstract
This phenomenological study explored the experiences of retired public school teachers which aimed to identify and describe the essence and meaning of life after retirement. The research question is turned toward identifying pertinent questions concerning: (1) factors in the decision to retire; (2) individual challenges, rewards and coping ways in retirement; and (3) the hopes after retirement. Data gathered was analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) data analysis procedure. The fundamental structure of experience described in the experiences of the retired public school teachers interweaves three essential themes: a) financial, health and family scaling; b) new life in retirement; and c) hopes in retirement. Participants’ experiences construed a profound effect on how they should approach life in this period. Life in retirement, as they see it, is about freedom, adjustment and anxiety. Nevertheless, the participants expressed a desire for those who are in the age of retirement to prepare earlier to successfully transition into retirement. The study recommends that: educational policies through the government should prioritize and include the overall wellbeing of the retirees specifically in promoting social connectedness.
References
Akinade, E.A. (1993). Towards Satisfactory Retirement: A Socio-Psychological Approach. Lagos: Kola Okanlawon Services Ltd.
Akinboye, K. (2004). Unsweet rest after labour: Retired Nigerians are not living a rosy life. African Concord. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/39BIvhN
Asuquo, P. N and Maliki, A. E. (2007). Nigerian Public School Workers’ Perception and Attitude to Pre-Retirement Counselling. Studies for Tribes and Tribals 5(2): 113-199.
Bur, A. (2001) Retirement management: Re-organizing the Nigerian Civil Service. Makurdi, Nigeria: Benue State Government.
Butterworth, P., Gill, S. C., Rodgers, B., Anstey, K. J., Villamil, E., & Melzer, D. (2006). Retirement and mental health: analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-being. Social science & medicine, 62(5), 1179-1191.
Cahill, K., Giandrea, M., & Quinn, J., (2006). Retirement patterns from career employment. The Gerontologist,46, 514-523. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/46.4.514
De Leon, A. The Quality of Life of the Filipino Elderly in Selected Cities and Provinces. Retrieved from https://tsaofoundation.org.
Denga, D.I. (2010). Human engineering for high production in Industrial and other work organizations. Calabar: Rapid Educational Publishing Limited.
Denga, D.I. (2010). Human engineering for high production in Industrial and other work organizations. Calabar: Rapid Educational Publishing Limited.
Elder, G.H, Johnson, M.K (2003). The life course and aging: challenges, reasons, and new directions. In R.A Settersten (ed), Invitation to the life course: towards new understandings of later life. New York: Bay Wood.
Garba. A & Jummai, M. (2014). Retirement Challenges and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. European Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 6(39), 39-46.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214511/rrep737.pdf
Humphrey, A., Lee, L. and Green, R. (2011). Aspirations for later life. Retrieved from
Igwe, S.O (2000). Professional Hand Book for Teachers. Owerri:Milestone Publishers High School Magazine.
Jonyo, D.O. & Jonyo, B.O (2017). Teacher Management: Emerging Issues in Kenya– Africa European Journal of Educational Sciences, Vol.4(1), 1-18
Kaskie, B., & Gerstner, N. (2004). Work and volunteer opportunities for older persons in Marin County: A market analysis. Larkspur, CA: Marin Community Foundation.[Google Scholar].
Oberleder, M. (1982). Avoiding the aging trap. Washington, DC: Acropolis Books.
Omoniwa, M.A., & Oladimeji, E. Y. (2012). Investment Status of Librarians in Tertiary Institutions of Kogi State, Nigeria. Retrieved from http://unllib.unl.edu/LPP/
Onoyas, A. (2013). Financial planning strategies towards retirement as perceived by potential retirees in Universities in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, International Journal of Business and Social Science. 4(14): 2-8
Osuala, E.C. (1985). Retirement Counselling is Necessary. Nigerian Statement. Page 8-17. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/74b3/e997becaad19ccd1c15dc6266a5ff8c5724a.pdf.
Petters, J. S., & Asuquo, P. N. (2008). Work-role attachment and retirement intentions of public school teachers. Calabar, Nigeria.
Qualls, S., & Abeles, N. (Eds.). (2002). Psychology and the aging revolution: How we adopt to longer life. Washington D. C.: American Psychology Association.
Syse A, Veenstra M, Furunes T, Mykletun R. J, Solem P. E. (2015). Changes in health and health behavior associated with retirement. Journal of Aging and Health. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0898264315624906.
Ubangha M.B., & Akinyemi, B.A (2005). The Relationship between attitude to retirement planning and retirement anxiety among teachers. The Counsellor, 21: 156-163.
Van Solinge H, Henkens K. (2008). Adjustment to and satisfaction with retirement: Two of a kind? Psychology and Aging. 23(2):422–434. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.23.2.422.
Wang M, Shi J. (2014). Psychological research on retirement. Annual Review of Psychology. 65(1):209–233. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115131.
