Focus of this paper is on to analyze socio-economic dimensions of ageing in Kashmir valley from socio-anthropological perspective.
Paper long abstract:
The issues of ageing are multi-dimensional. This paper outlines the process of ageing as a global problem with special reference to the Indian perspective on ageing issues and prospects in Srinagar City of the Valley of Kashmir. The economic dimensions of ageing like income status, house status, dependency profile, benefits granted to the elderly and sociological dimensions like type of family, living of the elderly, treatment meted to elderly, health status, recreation etc., are highlighted in relation to the life expectancy. It is examined from diverse theoretical constructs like engagement versus disengagement theory, integration versus segregation theory, role theory orientation, and theory of inequality versus equality. The paper is further supported with various theoretical injections like structural-functional analysis, symbolic-interactionist perspective and Conflict approach. The socio-economic dimensions of ageing and condition of the elderly by assessing the magnitude of these dimensions in the city of Srinagar and draws out the sociological explanations of problems faced by this vulnerable section of the society. Various strategies for benefit of senior citizens are discussed .