by Albert Calvo » Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:57 am
Are elderly people respected in your society/culture?
The background to the questioning you refer to is complex. Here, without pretending to be exhaustive, I can usefully distinguish economic and cultural factors in the background.
For some time now economic support for the elderly has been perceived to be a critical issue for societies which have had systems of welfare provision for the elderly. The reasons are well known. The percentage of the population who are elderly is increasing, while the percentage of those who are generating wealth and earning incomes is contracting. More particularly, the percentage of the frail elderly who are dependent on the support of others is increasing precisely when the resources for state provision of welfare are under stress both because of the changing population profile and because of levels of unemployment in advanced capitalist societies.
The conditions of the elderly in society have noted a radical change in that condition emerging over recent centuries.
Long time ago elderly people was respected but in nowadays I’m not sure.
The elderly are our ancestors, most of them parents of one or more who follow them. Children should honor their parents. Many are no longer disposed to do so. Our generation is in danger of conspiring, or colluding by indifference, in the criminal neglect and even killing of many of the elderly. We need to do more than name this conspiracy for what it is. We need to redeem our times. In this sense we are the ones who need to love our elders.
What happens when people get too old to look after themselves?
In our society I think we have these options:
a) put them in an old people’s home
b) hire a private nurse
c) take them into our house
Have you ever cared for an elderly relative?
No, I have never cared for an elderly relative.
What was it like?
I don’t know but I imagine it must be hard.
Do you think the local or national government should do more to look after the elderly?
Of course, but now welfare policies are in the doldrums. It is really disturbing.
Are elderly people portrayed in stereotypical ways in the media in your country?
I think so.
Are elderly people respected in your society/culture?
The background to the questioning you refer to is complex. Here, without pretending to be exhaustive, I can usefully distinguish economic and cultural factors in the background.
For some time now economic support for the elderly has been perceived to be a critical issue for societies which have had systems of welfare provision for the elderly. The reasons are well known. The percentage of the population who are elderly is increasing, while the percentage of those who are generating wealth and earning incomes is contracting. More particularly, the percentage of the frail elderly who are dependent on the support of others is increasing precisely when the resources for state provision of welfare are under stress both because of the changing population profile and because of levels of unemployment in advanced capitalist societies.
The conditions of the elderly in society have noted a radical change in that condition emerging over recent centuries.
Long time ago elderly people was respected but in nowadays I’m not sure.
The elderly are our ancestors, most of them parents of one or more who follow them. Children should honor their parents. Many are no longer disposed to do so. Our generation is in danger of conspiring, or colluding by indifference, in the criminal neglect and even killing of many of the elderly. We need to do more than name this conspiracy for what it is. We need to redeem our times. In this sense we are the ones who need to love our elders.
What happens when people get too old to look after themselves?
In our society I think we have these options:
a) put them in an old people’s home
b) hire a private nurse
c) take them into our house
Have you ever cared for an elderly relative?
No, I have never cared for an elderly relative.
What was it like?
I don’t know but I imagine it must be hard.
Do you think the local or national government should do more to look after the elderly?
Of course, but now welfare policies are in the doldrums. It is really disturbing.
Are elderly people portrayed in stereotypical ways in the media in your country?
I think so.
