IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH (IJSSMR )

E-ISSN 2545-5303
P-ISSN 2695-2203
VOL. 2 NO. 1 2016

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Ageism: perception and beliefs towards elderly people in India

Dr. Rashmi Saxena

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Abstract

Growing into old is a natural phenomenon but the attitudes, expectations; prejudices and stereotypes related to it have their own defining definition for it. Ageism, a prejudiced attitude, includes not only beliefs about another group but also the feelings and dispositions directed toward that group and its members. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of gender and age on perception and belief towards elderly in a culturally diverse country like India. There were 300 participants ranging in age from 25-35, 45-65 and 65+ who took part in the study. It was hypothesized that a) In comparison to men women score lower on ageism. b) In comparison to older individuals younger individuals are more ageists. A survey method was used in this study and participants were required to complete the ageism scale to assess the perception and beliefs towards elderly people.

keywords:

ageism, gender and age

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