Геронтологічна перспектива соціальної політики

Abstract

Досліджено соціокультурні чинники проблеми «соціальний статус людей старшого віку». За допомогою аналізу соціокультурних ціннісних елементів соціальної геронтології виділено чинники, які визначають базис у формуванні соціальної політики старості на сучасному етапі розвитку суспільства. Зазначено основні стереотипи і поведінкові практики, які впливають на врегулювання соціальної проблеми статусу людей старшого віку. This article presents the research of the social and cultural factors of the problem of «social status of senior people». The aim of the paper is to identify the factors that determine the basis for the formation of social policy of old age in modern society by analyzing the social and cultural values of the elements of social gerontology. There are indicated the basic attitudes and behaviors that affect the regulation of the social problem of the status of senior people. The notable process of growth of the older population, which coincides with the worldwide trend of population aging, is accompanied by the emerging of social problems, which can be considered as a result of interaction of the age groups of the society and social policy courses. Competitiveness among age groups, changes in social status as a result of transformation processes give rise to the so-called social distance which indicates feeling of social differences in status positions. The need to adopt appropriate to the situation social policy courses sometimes is caused not only by economic or demographic factors, but also by the system of social and cultural values. In order to understand how the social policy courses are adopted, there is a need to distinguish the factors that affect those courses. Thus, it is necessary to consider the mechanisms that in general make it possible for the social system to aid other people, to allow them not to be left with their problems on their own, and to provide them with the real chance of solving problems with the help of other people. In modern society, the situation is such that the status of the majority of senior people has deteriorated. This can be partly explained by the fact that our society has formed a negative portrait of an elderly person which appears as being unnecessary, aggravating, and passive. It all adds up to an older person difficulty in dealing with the representatives of other social groups, and often the senior person merely is under heavy pressure of neglect, negative emotions, negative attitudes of society towards older people and old age in general. The discourse of social problems often becomes their source, in particular, it can be a source of stereotypical attitudes. Therefore, it is important to analyze the attitudes and stereotypes towards aging as one of the factors that affect the self-esteem of the elderly person, the level of social claims and, ultimately, the status of the individual as a subject or an object in a social interaction.