Gender and Age Related Difference in Attitude toward Caring For Elderly

Developing nations in Asia are posed to experience a significant increase in the population of older adults living in their respective societies. Over the coming decades, India, the second most populous country in the entire world, is poised to experience a significant increase in its elder population. As a result there has been increased research on attitudes toward older adults. When one thinks of elder care, one typically thinks of it in terms of one’s own family and country, older adults need family support and family care as well as support from the community. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of gender and age on attitude toward caring for elderly in a culturally diverse country like India. There were 300 participants ranging in age from 25-35, 45-65 and 65+ who took part in the study. It was hypothesized that a) females as compared to males exhibit more favorable attitude toward caring for elderly greater anxiety, b) older respondents in comparison to younger respondents chow more favorable attitude toward caring for elderly. A survey method was used in this study and participants were required to complete the attitude toward caring for elderly scale and also give responses to some single measures items to show attitude toward caring for elderly.