Attitudes towards aging in different cultures

Chris Kokkola

China

• China is becoming an aging country. Among China’s 1.3 billion population, the number of older adults is burgeoning. The growth rate of this population segment is 3.2%, almost three times the overall rate

• Traditional Chinese culture has been influenced by Confucianism over the past thousands of years.

China

• . Its ethics pay homage to respect for older people. Its adages, such as “the elder is a treasure in the family,” are strongly emphasized. Older people, therefore, are presumably accorded the highest position in the family hierarchy and are entitled to be respected and honored by the younger generation

• However, economic and social changes may have an impact on the status of older people and consequently on one’s attitudes toward older people. Modernization and urbanization are believed to promote value systems that either equalize age groups or result in lower status for older people

China

• Zhan (2004a) found that young people in China today adopted a more liberal view toward family than their parents’ generation by expressing preference to maintain independent households from their parents. Other research indicated “declining adherence to filial beliefs and commitments” among Chinese youth (Ho, Hong,& Chiu, 1989). Socioeconomic changes in China gave young people more say over their own lives and family issues, such as marriages, education, and career choices.

• Zhan and Montgomery (2003) investigated the changing dynamics of caregiving in urban China against the backdrops of economic reforms and cultural emphasis of xiao (filial piety). Their study showed “a decline in the patrilocal tradition of caregiving

China

• As a result, the traditional network of support for old people embedded in the family system only needs to be reconsidered. Family is no longer the panacea for future elder care. The decreasing family size and job mobility have added to the segregation and isolation of family.

South Africa

• Vast amount of rural areas in South Africa where the elderly lives and contribute to household activities and income

• Elderly ages faster in rural areas as they would in urban areas

• View of the elderly is changing– From a perspective of respect to a more intolerant one

• Doctors (especially in provincial sector) have a predominant negative attitude towards the elderly

• Doctors function strongly on a medical model where the elderly is seen as a group with a poor prognosis

South Africa

• Abuse of the elderly is high

• ‘community togetherness and support ‘Ubuntu’ grew stronger during apartheid when community support between Black Africans were essential When ‘Ubuntu’ is decreasing, so does the traditional respectful care that the elderly enjoyed in African families

• Another post „traditional Black families became dependent on elderly pension as part of the household income Most state dependent elderly gets small pensions and can’t afford themselves Pension doesn’t always reach the elderly

USA

• Society has not always viewed older adults in the same way. In colonial America, the tendency was to revere older people. By the mid- 19th century, the attitude was becoming more disrespectful.

• Since 1970, the United States has experienced a demographic revolution. Our young country is growing old. The current generation of older adults is healthier, lives longer, and has more money and education. The attitudes of the 19th century still prevail but probably not for long. We are witnessing continuing changes in attitudes toward old age as society notices the opportunities as well as the difficulties of later life

USA

• Businesses did not consider them a viable demographic market, community organizations labeled them recipients rather than contributors, and when they were included in commercials, movies or news segments, they were portrayed as unhealthy, unproductive and uninvolved: a burden on the economy and the younger generations.

• The tide has turned, however, and the image of the feeble and fragile senior is quickly being replaced. Seniors can no longer be ignored, and in an ironic twist, they have become the future concern of corporate America.

USA

• he difference is their active rather than passive involvement in these areas. Rather than accepting what is handed to them, seniors have learned of their importance to government agencies, health care organizations and financial institutions. And armed with this knowledge, they are no longer willing to sit idly by - they are questioning policies, making decisions, enriching their lives and demanding attention.

• Looking at this group's profile, it's easy to wonder if they won't be taking care of the younger generations and society's responsibilities instead of the opposite scenario. Today's older Americans have not only experienced some of the most seminal events in history, they continue to be involved in this country's activities. Many commit the free time found in retirement to volunteer opportunities, and some have found jobs to keep them busy.

References

• http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1048&context=famconfacpub&sei-redir=1#search="attitudes+towards+old+age+in+china”

• http://www.sa.gov.au/upload/franchise/Seniors/Office%20for%20the%20Ageing%20-%20Publications/Publications/The%20challenges%20of%20care%20of%20the%20elderly%20in%20South%20Africa.pdf

• http://www.cps.unt.edu/natla/rsrc/lsn_plans/plan_chng_attitude.pdf

• http://robinson.gsu.edu/magazine/aging.html