Feminisation
of ageing- issues and concerns
Despite substantial
growth in proportion of both male and female elderly around the world, a
strong preponderance of women has been established amongst 60 years and
above in most of the countries. This phenomenon is called “Feminisation of
ageing” which is currently dominant in developed nations but is
picking up pace in developing countries.
As per the2011
census, while the overall sex ratio favours the male population (940 females
per 1,000males) however, for the elderly population, at 60 plus, it favours
elderly women (1022:1000). At the ages of 65, 70, 75 & 80 there are 1,310,
1,590, 1,758 & 1,980 elderly women respectively per1,000 elderly men. The proportion of women and men
in the elderly population has important implications for policymakers, as they
have different experiences and problems due to their biological differences,
social and gender roles and position in the society at large. For example, women face various
reproductive morbidities due to pregnancies and childbirth that has
implications during old age. In India,
elderly women are more likely to be widowed, illiterate and out of paid
employment as compared with elderly men. The socio economic
implications of aging are greater for females because of their higher life
expectancy. Dependency
can become more complex as a woman grows older given the situation that she has
no source of income or right to property as seen in traditional families. In a
study to establish both the direct and indirect effects of widowhood on aged
females, it was found that poor economic
conditions have an effect on the
relationship between widowhood and health directly and through reduction in
their employment opportunities and economic freedom. Thus, the negative effect
of widowhood on labour force participation could be viewed as having a
larger role than just reducing potential earning and health status.
In a recent study
of elderly by Audinarayana (2012) in Tamil Nadu, found marked gender-wise
differentials in health status of the elderly. Chronic morbidity due to poor
vision, cataract, blood pressure, back Pain/slipped disc was significantly
higher amongst women as compared to elderly men. Similarly perceived health
status of elderly men was significantly better‘healthy’
than those of elderly women. Another study among 987 rural
aged belonging to seven villages in Faridabad, Haryana, revealed that a great
proportion of males and females (62 per cent and 72 percent respectively) rated
their health statues as ‘not healthy’. Female elderly compared to their male counterparts suffered from
functional impairments like malnutrition, depression, impaired physical
performance and urinary incontinence more significantly
in the areas of study. This study
revealed that risk of malnutrition was more among females. Elderly
women are affected more by dementia, depression and psychosomatic disorders
than their male counterparts.
Marital status and
economic dependence play a significant role in determining morbidity amongst
elderly women . It was found that with
increasing age, diseases are more likely to increase with widowhood, divorce and
economic dependence. Aged women in poor families lack proper food and clothing,
constantly fear about the future and
lack caring and loving atmosphere at home. All these factors contribute
to their deteriorating health status . In a study to elicit morbidity and health care
utilisation by elderly women in an urban slum in Chennai, Balagopal (2009) revealed that 40.5
per cent of ailments of the elderly were medically untreated. The absence of gender-specific health services, poor health due to
child bearing, less nutrition and their priority role as the providers of care
for the young and the elderly combined with economic deprivation throughout
their lives, often make the female elderly face a greater risk of poor health
.It is clear from the above review of earlier studies to elicit issues faced by
elderly in general and elderly women in particular. The most important reasons for
not seeking care were financial problems, the perception of ailments as not
serious. This information is indicative of inaccessible health care which
increases financial burden on elderly women and absence of social security
and health insurance. The author concludes social policy of developing countries
like India
underplays the health care requirements of elderly women.
Health
of women has become a critically important issue and will increase its
importance owing to their increased longevity and morbidity and decreased
access to healthcare as compared to men. This increased longevity of women has
significant implications for women living alone for extended periods
potentially with less resources and support.
The increased
longevity of women has significant implications for women living alone for
extended periods potentially with less resources and support. Health of women
has become a critically important issue and will increase its importance owing
to their increased longevity and morbidity and decreased access to healthcare
as compared to men. The
problems of old age will thus be exacerbated among elderly women owing to
public policy failures with respect to their access to social and material
resources. Thus feminisation of ageing brings with it
various issues that require attention of researchers, academicians, social workers
as well as policy makers.
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