THE SOCIAL STATUS OF THE ELDERLY IN THE HISTORICAL PROCESS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the changes in the social status of elderly persons in the historical process. The concepts of old age and aging, which have become the focus of attention all over the world and in our country with the rapid change in the demographic structure, have been a subject that people have been interested in since the Ancient Age. Since the information about old age in the period before the invention of writing is very limited, current studies have generally tried to reveal the status of the elderly in society by inferring from literary works. Therefore, it has been possible to reach some information about the elderly, depending on the mythological, philosophical, and faith-related discussions that started with the discovery of writing about 5500 years ago. On the other hand, according to the information obtained from archaeological studies, it is understood that people could not settle in a certain place and lead a nomadic life in the prehistoric period due to the necessity of meeting their nutritional needs. Mankind, who met the soil in the historical process, turned to agricultural activities and started to settle down. Societies that have achieved stable production thanks to agriculture have interacted with nature by cultivating and this relationship has taught societies the methods of testing and failing natural events. Therefore, in this period, the elderly had the status of people whose opinions were respected and listened to, depending on their increasing experience. Along with the industrialization process (especially in the 19th century), life expectancy began to increase with the significant improvement of living and health conditions, and an increase in the elderly population occurred. This, in turn, led to some changes and transformations in social life, and was effective in experiencing a new process defined as social aging or Demographic Transformation. Therefore, the transformation of the modern social structure with industrialization has changed the conditions of aging and created a new perception of the elderly and aging.