Open Forum
New Delhi, 6 October 2016
Elders International
Day
SHED DEPENDENCY
RATIO MYTH
By Dr S Saraswathi
(Former Director,
ICSSR, New Delhi)
Another International Day has gone by, this time it was for
elder persons, on October 1. This year’s theme was designated by the WHO as
“Take a Stand Against Ageism”. It was intended to rouse everyone to consider
ageism – the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age and the
detrimental impact it has on older people.
India is presently proud of the much
publicised demographic dividend it is blessed with. The age-structure of its people
with a large working age population is unlike many advanced mostly western
countries facing ageing population. Still, it has its own share of problems
relating to the elderly, some of which need urgent action.
The World Health Assembly adopted a resolution relating to
WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health in May 2016. It called
upon the organization to develop a Global Campaign to combat ageism and achieve
the ultimate goal of enhancing the day-to-day experience of older people and
optimize policy responses.
Ageism in this context is a problem of the elderly related
more to treatment and attitudes towards them rather than providing for their
physical welfare. India
still has not dealt with care of the aged physically and has to go fast to
catch up with the pace of the world organization.
Ageism denotes stereotyping and discrimination on the basis
of a person’s age. It was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler and was
patterned on sexism and racism and implies a negative image of the elderly. He
used it to depict three inter-connected inequalities – prejudicial attitudes
towards older persons, old age, and ageing process; discriminatory practices;
and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate stereotype ideas about
elder people.
A resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015
called upon member-States to have a legal instrument based on holistic approach
in the fields of social development, human rights, and gender equality to
provide security to the senior citizens.
Security in the case of the elderly includes, in terms of
this legal instrument, both “rights” and “dignity”. Theoretically, both aspects
are well protected in India
– rights through some legislations and also by tradition, and dignity by the
common family structure and values.
Problems of the elderly today are due to fading away of traditional
status of elders, changes in family structures, and the demands of changing societies
widening generational gaps.
In 1991, the UN General Assembly had adopted 18 principles
pertaining to elder care grouped in five categories, namely, independence,
participation, care, self-fulfilment, and dignity. In the same year, first
International Day of Older Persons was observed. The Second World Assembly on
Ageing held at Madrid
adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action in 2002 which addressed key
challenges in building a society “for all ages”. India has endorsed the plan.
The census organization of India has estimated the population
of 60+ group in 2016 as 103.9 million, that is, 8.6 per cent of the total
population (8.2 % among males and 9.0 % among females). The percentage has
grown from 7.4 recorded in 2001 census and the number 77 million. It is
expected to reach 324 million by 2050, which will be 17 per cent of the total.
Senior group (above 80 years) among the older will number
about 48 million. The rate of growth of 60+ group will be far higher than the
rate of growth of over-all population. One-eighth of the senior citizens of the
world will be in India.
The average life expectancy at birth in India was 37
years in 1947. It rose to 64.6 years by 2000 and has presently reached 69.3 for
females against 65.8 for males. At the age of 60, average remaining life is
expected to be 18 years – 16.9 for males and 19.0 for females. Old age
dependency is rising faster than the rate of decline in child dependency.
Progress in medical science produces some
quick results to increase
longevity, but population control measures take time to produce results.
Estimates of projections made by different agencies do vary.
But, all estimates point to the end of the present youth bulge and the
demographic dividend available with growing working age population. They also
indicate a major transformation in the age structure of the population. This means, in conventional thinking, a
drastic change in various characteristics of the Indian population – workforce
pattern, family structure and functions, inter-generational relations,
dependency ratio, migrations, etc.
India adopted the National Policy for
Older Persons in 1999 with the professed aim of strengthening their legitimate
place in society and helping them “to live the last phase of their life with
purpose, dignity, and peace”. It provided for financial security, health care,
shelter, welfare and other needs, protection against abuse and exploitation,
and opportunities for participation and development of the potentials of the
older persons.
The policy remained on paper and hence arose the need for a
revised national policy in 2011. It aimed at strengthening the family system to
play the role of primary care giver for the elderly and incorporated a range of
welfare measures to provide minimum standard of living for all.
In 2007, the Maintenance and Welfare of the Senior Citizens
Act was passed under which it is mandatory on the part of children to look
after their parents in old age. This Act puts the primary responsibility for
the maintenance of parents on their children, grand-children, and even
relatives who may possibly inherit their property. Violation of this
responsibility is punishable with imprisonment or fine or both. State
governments are to open old-age homes and reserve beds for the aged in
hospitals.
Not many seem to be aware of this law. And the well informed
who are aware of their legal rights are not likely to take to legal course to
assert their rights or to fight abuse by their own children. Parental bond and
the notion of family honour are strong restraining factors that make laws
inappropriate to determine parents-children relationship.
Policies, programmes, and legislations generally seek to
cover the elderly under social security schemes. What is sadly ignored is the
contribution the elderly people make in every field of activity.
The age 60 recognized generally as the age of retirement is
not really so. The entire female population which is running their homes doesn’t
and cannot retire until they are bed-ridden. Their work includes baby-sitting
in rich and poor households, at home and abroad – work that demands
extraordinary stamina. The self-employed and those in unorganized sector
continue till they break. Pensioners look for second employment. A Cabinet
consisting of members in the age-group 60-80 is considered an achievement of
youth power.
The very concept of “dependency ratio”, which is the
proportion of 60+ group to 15-59 age-group is misconceived. It is after the age
of 60, most persons make their maximum contributions to their families and to
society and become most useful members with their knowledge and experience
whether at home or work place.
To classify them as “dependants” is the worst insult that
must be immediately removed by national and international policy declarations.
What we need is “an age-integrated society”, which seeks to enhance
“interaction between generations” and give up age criteria where it is
irrelevant. ---INFA
(Copyright,
India News and Feature Alliance)
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