Cultural Aspects of Aging

1
Cultural Aspects of Aging
2
Old Age Historically

• Ancient Cultures
• People of advanced age were rare.
• Those few elders were treated with respect.
• Those who outlived their usefulness were a
  burden.
  
• Geronticide or senecide
• inducing the death of old persons

3
Ecclesiastes 12

• 1 Remember your Creator in the days of your
  youth, before the days of trouble come and the
  years approach when you will say, "I find no
  pleasure in them"-

4
Old Age Historically

• Greek Roman Cultures
• The modern conception of age based on chronology
  began at this time.
  
• Age implied power in ancient cities.
• Greek mythology depicted the old as tyrannical
  and wicked.
  
• Immortality was desirable if it meant eternal
  youthfulness.

5
Old Age Historically

• Medieval Europe
• Little is known about the role of elders in
  medieval Europe.
  
• High death rates led to few older adults, yet
  older adults were more likely to survive
  epidemics.
  
• The nobility lived longer than common people.
• Old age was depicted as ugly and weak.

6
Old Age Historically

• Colonial America
• In the 17th and 18th century America, old age was
  treated with respect.
  
• About 1770 attitudes changed and the status of
  youth was elevated.
  
• About 1810 a demographic change created a greater
  proportion of older adults.

7
The Effects of Modernization

• Modernization Theory
• advances in technology, applied sciences,
  urbanization, and literacy which, in this context
  are related to a decline in the status of older
  people

8
Alternatives to Modernization Theory

• Analysis of non-industrial societies have found
  that conditions for high status did not always
  apply.
  
• Most societies have some norms of favorable
  treatment toward their elders.
  
• The development of state or nation may have
  represented a shift in older peoples roles.

9
A Cross-Cultural View of Old Age in Contemporary
Societies

• Societies generally distinguish two or three
  classes of elders
  
• Those who are no longer fully productive, but are
  physically and mentally able to attend to their
  daily needs
  
• Those who are totally dependent
• Those who continue to actively participate in the
  economy of the social system