Abstract

This work aims at investigating the societal perceptions of the elderly in the Muea Community. To archive this, the work was divided into five sub chapters.

Chapter one examines the background to the study. It tries to show the general concern about the study, bringing out why there is a need for the study, while indicating clearly the objectives to be achieved by the study, the definition of terms used in the study, not forgetting the scope of the study as well as postulating the relationship between variables that can be tested empirically.

Chapter two focuses on a literature review wherein the concept of the elderly, the factors influencing the societal perceptions of the elderly, the consequences such perceptions have on the lives of the elderly as well as measure on how to resolve the problems faced by the elderly. It also sets the theoretical base for the research and sets the research into perspectives to show the state of the art. Chapter three outlines the methodology which includes each step of the study, in the order carried out.

Chapter four is on the analysis of data and presentation of research findings wherein the results of the study are presented and explained using an unstructured interview guide, figures, tables, percentages, computations etc. Chapter five is on the discussion of findings, conclusion and recommendations.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Statistics from the United Nations reveal that the number of persons above 60 shall move from above 600million to nearly two billion in 2025, representing nearly 6% of the population of developing countries.

Cameroon with its 15,292,000inhabitants as of 2006 had 917,520 of persons aged 60years and above(Yufeh,2006).Also, according to a national elderly census, Cameroon has an elderly population of 1,164,366 of people aged 60year(Ngwingmako,2013).

In addition, Akam (2003), notes that in Cameroon people aged over 60 years accounted for 4.6%of the population in 1965, 5.3% in 1987,5.2 in 2005.Though as of 2005, the proportion of the elderly in Cameroon was low, that is about 5%, the number of the elderly was estimated at 1,015,979 people.

Thus showing, an increase in the proportion of the elderly in Cameroon in the general population. Given the growing rates in the population of the elderly, it has been estimated that by 2050, almost a quarter of the world’s population will be over the age of 60years.) (United Nations, 2009)

1.2 Overview

According to Bernstein (2000), public perception concerns the process by which people interpret information about others and form impressions of them. Our perceptions in of other people are both reflected in, and influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

It is also from public perceptions and attitudes that ageist behavior, discrimination, and mistreatment of the elderly can develop. Some terms used interchangeably with the term perceptions include, ageism, attitudes, beliefs, discrimination, prejudice, stereotypes and views. Similarly, various terminologies such as old, aged, elderly, elders, senior citizens, have been used to describe an elderly person. (Arnold-Cathalifaud, 2008)

However, in Cameroon, an elderly person refer to all persons who have reached or passed the age 60, which is considered the legal retirement age in most public, para-public, private enterprises in Cameroon. According to the Cameroon’s Labor Code, an age person is defined as anyone above the age of sixty, which is the officially accepted age to retire from the public service.

Perceptions of the elderly influence societal behavior and expectations towards older people (Pasupathi, 2002) as well as older adult’s well-being and coping with the ageing process (Levy 2003; Myers 2004)

For example, research has proven that Asian societies are influenced by Confucian values of filial piety and the practice of ancestor worship. This ancestor worship was thought to promote positive views of aging and high esteem for the elderly (Davis 1983; Sher 1984; Ho 1994)

Western societies, in contrast, were thought to be youth-oriented and to hold more negative views about the elderly (Palmore, 1975).

According to Parsons (1993), quoted in Elderly Stereotypes (Judy Ann 2011), notes that society views the aged as an ‘’increasing burden on society because they are considered unproductive, increasingly   frail, vulnerable with their decreasing ability to perform activities of daily living and frequently poor mobility.’’ However in reality, the percentage of the elderly working has risen substantially since 1994.

The United States Labor Force Participation rates report that 58% of men and 45% of women between the ages of 60-64years are employed. The numbers that are employed full time are also increasing.

Levy (2002), quoted in Judy Ann’s Elderly Stereotype and said that ’’any form of negative stereotyping can have an effect on society and the individual. She further stated that negative stereotypes are internalized at a young age and reinforced over time. She also found out that people 50years and older who had a positive self-perception of ageing lived 7.5years longer than people with negative self-perception about aging.

She also found out that negative perceptions affected performance, attitudes and that these beliefs contributed to serious illness and even death.

This is so because, negative perceptions of the aging process begin to influence people’s perceptions a long time before the aging process sets in, and can leave people feeling pessimistic about the future as well as stifled when they reach old age.

Thus, making the negative perceptions of the elderly, to be a serious problem, as it impacts many areas of life such as, motivation, mental health, physical health, and even mortality.

According to the European Commission (2008), discrimination on the grounds of age is the most commonly experienced form of discrimination.

Prejudicial attitudes have been linked to offensive and upsetting behavior towards older people. Ageist attitudes and stereotypes, in their most severe forms, can lead to elder abuse (Hayeds, 1993)

Positive attitudes in the care of elderly people are vital and are considered a prerequisite for high-quality health services for elderly people in a variety of differential settings. (Soderhamn 2001; Burnardini 2008)

In the same way, negative stereotypes or unfavorable attitudes towards elderly people could potentially interfere with developing an empathetic and caring relationship with an adult (Sauer 2006)

Negative stereotyping and prejudicial attitudes can have a significant impact on the quality of care that older patients receive and may result in elderly people being inadequately assessed and thus being omitted from services most appropriate to their needs. (UN Department of Health, 2001)

In a study carried out in Ireland, O’Neill and O’keefe (2003), discovered that women over the age of 65years were not entitled to free breast cancer screening and this was evidence of Institutional Ageism.

If ageism is pervasive at National and Societal levels, it has been argued that, it tends to filter down through institutional policies and practices (NCAOP, 2005).

In Cameroon, some incivilities towards elderly persons as noted by Bengha (2008) are rejection from families which abandon their aged relatives in precarious situations since the person is often considered as not ‘useful’ to them as they are no longer sharp as they were before.

They are also viewed as an unneeded burden to society although some even possess enormous potentials which could contribute to development. Another incivility encountered by the elderly in Cameroon he argues is the lack of respect.

Bengha (2008) further argues that the elderly in Cameroon are marginalized and vulnerable. As such, he decided to set up an organization that would speak on their behalf known as The Regional Centre for The Welfare of Ageing Persons in Cameroon. (RECEWAPEC) which lobbies on behalf of the country’s senior citizens, and was recently involved in a campaign called Age Demands Action which persuaded the Cameroon government to support income-generating activities for elderly people like pig breeding, mushroom farming, etc.

According to him, one reason for the marginalized and vulnerable conditions of the elderly is that Cameroon does not have a National Pension Policy that covers all workers. Also, there is little specific attention paid to the issues of the aging generation.

There are hospitals, organizations and government ministries that focus on children, and provide them with direct support during conflict or natural disasters, but there are no government institutions, organizations or health care services that specialize in meeting the needs of the elderly.

Cameroon has never conducted a National Survey to find out what the challenges are that elderly people face. These he says was thus the motivating factors that prompted him to create his organization RECEWAPEC which fights for older people’s rights and try to ensure that they can live independently with dignity and security.

1.3 Statement of Research Problem

Researchers such as Schwalb and Sedlacek (1990), have shown that perceptions of the elderly by society are indeed negative and the young through socialization, assimilate these perceptions.

Thus, in any given society, the way the elderly are perceived and regarded is reflected in the forms of stereotypes held about them. Butler (1980), has argued that the tendency to perceive aging or the elderly in a negative fashion reflects a deep-seated uneasiness and distaste for growing old.

In the same vein, Ward (1984) observed that negative images of old age may stem from problems associated with old age such as low socioeconomic status, poor health, loneliness, senility, and even death. He thus, used the term ageism to refer to all these various forms of age discrimination.

Peterson, & Eden (1977), argued that literature can be a very important source of misinformation for the young about the elderly.

With particular reference to children and youths, studies carried out in different parts of the world show that children and adolescents have largely negative images and perceptions of the elderly.

In a review of children’s books, they identified many stereotypic and negative images of older people to which young minds are constantly exposed.

Among these are that elderly people are always sick, very ugly, have the low mental ability, act childlike, are isolated, lonely, poor, depressed, conservative, forgetful, cannot work effectively as young workers, and their lives are beset by serious health problems.

These negative stereotypes tend to have damaging effects on the elderly as well as disrupt the normal functioning of society.

This is particularly pertinent in the African situation in general and the Cameroonian context in particular where perceptions of and attitudes towards the elderly are taken to be considerably different than what obtains in the Western world.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the factors influencing the societal perceptions of the elderly?
2. What are the challenges faced by the elderly in society?
3. What measures can be put in place to resolve these challenges?
4. What are the consequences of societal perceptions on the lives of the elderly?

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