Status of old aged person in India - A religious perspective

This paper examines the honorable status of the elderly in various religions in India. With changes in the traditional practices of supporting the elderly and their rapidly growing numbers, this could become a serious social problem in coming days, particularly so far the families in urban areas. India like many other developing countries in the world is witnessing the rapid aging of its population. Urbanization, modernization and globalization have led to change in the economic structure, the erosion of societal values, weakening of social values, and social institution such as the joint family. In this changing economic and social milieu, the younger generation is searching for new identities encompassing economic independence and redefined social roles within, as well as outside, the families. The changing economic structure has reduced the dependence of rural families on land which has provided strength to bonds between generations. The traditional sense of duty and obligation of the younger generation towards their older generation is being eroded. The older generation it’s caught between the decline in traditional values on one hand and the absence of adequate social security system on the other.