Cultural Problems of Elderly Women in Rural and Urban Areas of Nuh and Hisar District of Haryana, India

Abstract

Ageism can be very detrimental for the old age groups. The study was conducted on the bases of cultural zone Hisar from Bagar and Nuh from Ahirwati. This is descriptory as well as exploratory type of study which is designed to get specific  required information on cultural problems faced by them. Sample for this study has been collected data from urban and rural areas of each district was taken to make a total sample size of 256 old aged women respondents.The objectives of the study is to know the level of Cultural problems areas related to new generation of the elderly women along with socio economic factors associated with cultural problems. Most of the elderly women (45.70%) of both the districts were ‘agree’ that the changing dress pattern was a threat for preservation of culture followed by ‘neutral’ (34.00%) and ‘disagree’ (20.30). Most of the elderly women (47.70%) of both the districts were ‘agree’ (47.70%) that fast food replaced the home made and simple food. Most of the elderly women (49.60%) of both the districts were ‘agree’ (49.60%) that girls should not be allowed to stay in hostels followed by ‘neutral’ (35.20%) and ‘disagree’ (23.80). Most of the elderly women (43.80%) of both the districts were ‘agree’ (43.80%) that inter caste was marriage perceived as cultural diffusion. The cultural problems among the elderly women were found significantly (P ≤0.01, Z = 4.58) higher in rural area (49.68). To sustain dignity of old women awards should be instituted for the women who are serving to the best of their in-laws by the village panchayat /local bodies.. Most of the elderly women with age group ‘60-70 years’ (47.7%) in  rural areas were found significantly associated with the cultural problems with a chi square statistic c2 = 13.80 at a = 0.01 level.