Elderly in ‘Super Traders’ Family

Abstract

In this globalized world, societal change has impacted on family structure and the roles and relationships of its family members. In recent times extreme competitiveness amongst family members has given rise to a new structure known as the ‘super trader’ family rather than the traditional nuclear, joint or extended family. One hundred people over 60 years old from rural and urban areas at a ratio 1: 1 through simple purposive random sampling have been studied to examine the current social situation of the elderly. The study was concentrated on the social, educational, occupational and marital background of the elderly people to assess their living situation. The elderly living in urban or rural areas are facing an unhealthy, lonely and unhappy existence. Often they are accommodated in their families, but are mostly separated from the younger family members. They may be psychologically ill and unhappy because their position in the family is not respected and is undervalued. They are often seen as the structural head, but are non-functional in terms of participation in power and decision-making process in the family. In order to protect the elderly and their lifelong experiences it is important that they are respected and their value is recognized by the younger members of the family.