Aging, Gender, Education And Modernization - 1866 Words

Life expectancy across the globe has increased during the last century resulting in a rise in the proportion of older population, especially in developed countries. This brings with it many challenges concerning the welfare of the elderly, as they need food, shelter, health care and security (Sung K, 2004). It becomes important to study how different cultures perceive old age as these attitudes determine behaviors towards the old (Yun and Lachman, 2006). The main objective of this literature review is to find out as to what are the perceptions about ageing in different cultures and how do they influence the treatment meted out to the older people in a society. Moreover, this review also aims to describe how these perceptions towards old†¦show more content†¦There are two aspects of old age that researchers have generally addressed, first, perceptions about getting old, second, respect for elders or how the elderly are treated in a certain culture. Studies have identified res pect as a major influence on the quality of life in old age (Sung, 2004; Yun and Lachman, 2006) both within the family and the society at large (Sung, 2004). In East Asian cultures aging is associated with a higher respect and honor in the family and the community (Sung,2004; Yun and Lachman, 2006) which derives from Confucius principles of filial piety (Sung,2004; Yun and Lachman, 2006; Sung and Dunkle,2009). However, longer life expectancy has affected these traditional cultures and as the elders become more frail and ill they are neglected and mistreated (Sung and Dunkle, 2009). Moreover, social changes in east asia have unfavourably affected the older generation (Yun and Lachman, 2006), these include urbanization, more women working outside their homes, difference in the education level of the old and the young generations, and the loss of the joint family system (Yun and Lachman, 2006). Researchers (Sung, 2004; Sung and Dunkle, 2006) also argue that it is important to find out the young adults attitudes towards the elderly in a society, as they are the ones forming the support system for the old generation. Sung (2004) explored different forms of respect for elders shown by young adults