Discussion: Sociocultural Differences in Perspectives on Aging

Western cultures think of time in linear terms while other cultures perceive the passage of time in cyclical terms (Helman, 2005). Helman states, “The clock, the watch and the calendar are among the main cultural symbols of Western industrial society” (para. 3). How might a culture’s perception of time influence views of individuals in later adulthood? What other cultural differences might impact a people’s view of aging? This week, you explore different cultures’ perspectives on aging and consider how these differences might impact social work.

To prepare for this Discussion, research two cultures different from your own and compare their perspectives on aging to that of your own culture.

Post a Discussion that compares your culture’s perspective on aging to the perspectives of the two cultures you researched. Explain why you think these differences exist. Also, explain how different perspectives on aging might impact social work practice.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Sociocultural Differences in Perspectives on Aging

Introduction

The way we think about aging is influenced by our culture. In some places, older people are respected as wise and experienced; in others, they’re seen as frail or weak. In this article, we’ll explore how cultural differences impact the needs of elderly people and society at large.

The idea of an “elderly person” isn’t the same in every culture.

The idea of an “elderly person” isn’t the same in every culture. For example, old age is a concept that varies across cultures and depends on who you ask. You might think older people are just those who are officially considered older than their peers; however, this definition can vary depending on the culture in question. In some cultures (such as Japan), people don’t consider themselves to be elderly until they reach their 80s or 90s—but others might not even consider them to be part of the adult population until they’ve reached retirement age (60-65).

Similarly, there’s no clear consensus on what it means to be old: Some people see aging as something negative while others view it as something positive! This leads us back into our first point about sociocultural differences: There’s no one right way for people around the world (or even within countries) define “old age.”

In many cultures, extended family isn’t just optional, it’s essential.

In many cultures, extended family isn’t just optional, it’s essential. Extended families are expected to take care of the elderly and their needs for a long time as well as for the rest of their lives.

In some countries (like Japan), this expectation can be seen in law: if you’re over 65 years old and live with your spouse or partner (and no children), you’ll receive more money from Social Insurance Agency than single people do for health insurance premiums because there’s no need to pay higher costs out-of-pocket; however, if someone dies without children then their estate will go back into public coffers so everyone gets equal treatment regardless of marital status or number of dependents living under one roof at one time.”

In many places, old age is a revered time.

In many places, old age is revered and respected. The elderly are seen as wise and knowledgeable, and they are expected to be a resource for the community. In fact, in some cultures it’s considered disrespectful not to listen to their advice or seek their counsel on matters of importance.

In other cultures however, older people can be viewed as burdens on society because they’re unable to contribute financially or physically anymore (if at all). This may lead them into poverty due to lack of resources or employment opportunities being available for them within their communities; but sometimes this poverty results from a lack of social support networks that would allow these individuals access into jobs with good pay rates

An elderly person can be seen as a giver of wisdom.

The elderly can be seen as wise, and in some cultures they are even revered as such. In other cultures, however, they are seen as a burden on society. How do you act when you’re given wisdom? How do you act when someone gives it to you?

In the United States and Western Europe, we have a long tradition of respecting elders and treating them with respect—this includes giving them gifts (such as flowers or cookies), offering to take care of them if necessary (like helping carry groceries), listening intently when they speak about their experiences and sharing those stories with others who may not understand what it’s like growing old in another country where elders might not receive such special treatment from younger generations

Needs of the elderly are needs of the community.

The elderly are a valuable resource for the community. They have wisdom and experience to share, as well as a wealth of knowledge about family history and culture. The elderly are keepers of tradition, while still being able to adapt to new technology and ways of doing things.

The elderly can help maintain our community’s social fabric by passing on their stories and wisdom while they’re still here on Earth—and they won’t be forgotten when we’re gone!

Conclusion

The relationship between age and health care is a complex one, with many factors affecting how older people are treated. While there are many cultural differences in perspectives on aging, we do know that aging has become an increasingly common experience in the United States and around the world—and as we learn more about these differences, we can better understand how our society deals with them.

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