PLIGHT OF ELDERLY WOMEN IN INDIA, ADDRESSING THEIR PSYCHO-SOCIAL STATUS: A CASE STUDY OF KOLKATA DISTRICT
Chandreyi BANERJEE, B.S.R Government Arts College, Alwar (Rajasthan), India
Background: Population ageing is almost a pan-global phenomenon in the contemporary world. Generally it is found that, there is an excess of women over men in the older (60+) ages. This adds a gendered perspective to ageing that may precisely be called feminisation of ageing. But increased longevity may not always be matched with a healthy and contended life. For aged women especially in developing countries who are seldom part of the development agenda, old age may signal a period of social isolation particularly after spousal loss and economic adversity. This definitely have a bearing on the psycho-social condition of the elderly women. India with its deep-rooted patriarchal set-up, with low levels of literacy for women, discriminatory property rights until recently and a vast majority of women staying outside the workforce during prime age leaves them suffering from various forms of poverty, thus making them marginalised and vulnerable in multiple ways. The traditional joint family system in the country that otherwise provided socio-economic security to the aged is gradually getting eroded away particularly in urban areas owing to increased job-oriented migration of the younger generation and their growing aspirations and individualism. Hence, old age homes are gradually becoming the havens of the aged women.
Materials and Methods: Based on primary data derived from field survey in Kolkata, a completely urbanised district of India, a case study has been undertaken to address the psycho-social status of elderly women across the district with the aid of General Health Questionnaires.
Objectives: To study the common determinants of psycho-social status of elderly women across Kolkata district.
Results and Conclusion: Major findings revealed spatial variations in the psycho-social status of elderly women across the district exhibiting distinct cultural set-up in different parts. It also varies with marital status, age, economic background and residence.
Mots clés : Feminisation of Ageing|Socio-economic Adversities|Multiple Vulnerabilities|Urban|Psycho-social Status
A105321BC