A Sociological Perspective of Ageing in Kashmir: A Case study of Srinagar

Abstract

The India’s aged population is currently the second largest in the world. The proportion of elderly in India’s population is 8.6 percent and likely to increase significantly in coming decades. However, Jammu & Kashmir estimates around 7.4 percent elderly population. The share of India’s elderly population is projected to climb to 19 percent by 2050, leading to 323 million old people as per census 2011. Recent theoretical discussions in social gerontology have revealed around two main themes, namely the social integration of the aged and their segregation in the society in which they live. The old people used to be integrated into the family and society, and they are now being increasingly segregated. Issues related to old age are multi-dimensional, being physical, mental, social and economic. In this backdrop, the present paper focuses on social aspects of ageing. Issues like respect/care, loneliness needs to be looked through the experiences of old people. The survey method has been used to collect the data from Srinagar city. The inclusion criteria for sample were based on different demographic variables like gender, residence, income, age stratification, marital status and living arrangements.  Structured interview schedule and observation were the tools for data collection.