Population ageing: gender, family support and the economic condition of older Africans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21504/sajg.v5i2.96Abstract
This paper addresses demographic changes occurring in developing countries and in Africa that are resulting in population ageing, i.e. an increasing proportion and number of older persons. The paper focusses on gender differentials in intergenerational relationships, income and cash generation, and family support. Older women are in a far more vulnerable position than older men in most categories of the descriptive analysis. The impact of a structural impact on the elderly, AIDS, especially for women, is discussed in the context of support and intergenerational transfer. Finally, a brief research agenda and policy implications are offered.References
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Adamchak, D.J., Wilson, A.O., Nyanguru, A. & Hampson, J. 1991. Elderly support and intergenerational transfer in Zimbabwe: an analysis by gender, marital status and of residence. The Gerontologist, 31(4):505-513.
Dixon, J. 1987. Social welfare in Africa. London: Croom-Helm.
Kelso, B.J. 1994. Orphans of the storm. Africa Report. 39: 50-55.
Manton, K.G., Dowd, J.E. & Woodbury M.A. 1986. Conceptual and measurement issues in assessing disability cross-nationally: analysis of a WHO sponsored survey of the disablement in Indonesia, Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 1: 339-362.
Manton, K.G., Myers, G.C. & Andrews G.R. 1987. Morbidity and disability patterns in four developing nations: their implications for social and economic integration of the elderly. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 2: 115-129.
Perlez, J. 1990. In AIDS-stricken Uganda area, the orphans struggle to survive. The New York Times, Sunday, June 10, pp. A1, A6.
Tout, K. 1989. Ageing in developing countries. New York: Oxford University Press.
Treas, J. & B. Logue. 1986. Economic development and the older population. Population and Development Review, 12(4): 645-673.
United Nations: 1991. World population prospects 1990. Population studies No. 120. New York; Department of International Economic and Social Affairs.
United Nations. 1994. Human Development Report 1994. United Nations Development Program (UNDP), tables 9, 34.
US Bureau of the Census. 1994. The impact of HIV/AIDS on world population. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.
World Bank. 1994. Averting the old age crisis: policies to protect the old and promote growth. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Adamchak, D.J., Wilson, A.O., Nyanguru, A. & Hampson, J. 1991. Elderly support and intergenerational transfer in Zimbabwe: an analysis by gender, marital status and of residence. The Gerontologist, 31(4):505-513.
Dixon, J. 1987. Social welfare in Africa. London: Croom-Helm.
Kelso, B.J. 1994. Orphans of the storm. Africa Report. 39: 50-55.
Manton, K.G., Dowd, J.E. & Woodbury M.A. 1986. Conceptual and measurement issues in assessing disability cross-nationally: analysis of a WHO sponsored survey of the disablement in Indonesia, Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 1: 339-362.
Manton, K.G., Myers, G.C. & Andrews G.R. 1987. Morbidity and disability patterns in four developing nations: their implications for social and economic integration of the elderly. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 2: 115-129.
Perlez, J. 1990. In AIDS-stricken Uganda area, the orphans struggle to survive. The New York Times, Sunday, June 10, pp. A1, A6.
Tout, K. 1989. Ageing in developing countries. New York: Oxford University Press.
Treas, J. & B. Logue. 1986. Economic development and the older population. Population and Development Review, 12(4): 645-673.
United Nations: 1991. World population prospects 1990. Population studies No. 120. New York; Department of International Economic and Social Affairs.
United Nations. 1994. Human Development Report 1994. United Nations Development Program (UNDP), tables 9, 34.
US Bureau of the Census. 1994. The impact of HIV/AIDS on world population. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.
World Bank. 1994. Averting the old age crisis: policies to protect the old and promote growth. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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1996-10-01
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