SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF GERONTOLOGY: A STUDY ON DHANKUT OF DISTRICT BAHRAICH OF U.P.

SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF GERONTOLOGY: A STUDY ON DHANKUT OF DISTRICT BAHRAICH OF U.P.

by
Dr. Alok Chantia, Lecturer, Dept. of Anthropology, Sri Jai Narain Post Graduate College, Lucknow, E-Mail alokchantia@rediffmail.comLecturer,
Dr. Preeti Misra, Dept. of Human Rights, School for Legal Studies, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow; Formerly Lecturer in Dept.of Law, Sri J.N.P.G.College, Lucknow, E-Mail misra9us@gmail.com
Key Words – Human Rights, Culture, Dhankut

Abstract
Maximum social sciences focus on childhood, youth etc. as child is the hope of future and youth is the power of economy. But we should also think of old people who are encyclopedia of experiences. They are live history of a family, they bind joint families and work like armour and roof for them. In modern times globalization, explosion of population has led to disintegration of joint families and adversely affected the lives of old people in India.
In modern times the fairy tales told by elderly peoples has been replaced by cartoon channels on T.V. Their careful and affectionate attitude towards grand children has been taken over by crèches and domestic servants. Today due to economic pressures and small houses young couples do not prefer to live with older parents, they do not want to bear their old age expenses like that of medicine etc.
Present study has been done on a group Dhankut living in Dhankuttypura of Bahraich District of Uttar Pradesh of India, as hundreds of Dhankut are above 60 years old waiting for dignified death instead of life. It is an exploratory cum descriptive type of work 300 respondents were chosen for the purpose of present study. The study was conducted between 20 April 2008 to 4 June 2008.
Findings of study revealed that Dhankut abide by their culture and their value system is very strong. They respect their elders, believe in them and listen to their advice. Study revealed that physical health of old Dhankut is not good due to their culture. Old Dhankut feel that their pathetic condition is due to Will of God. They feel that only government can do something to improve their condition.
It is suggested that gerontology should be made a part of curriculum of social sciences both at school and university level to sensitize the children and young towards the problems of old age, it will also help them to live a life of dignity.

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