Older People in Africa: New Engines to Society?

Abstract

People in the West tend to have romantic views of aging in developing countries, where supposedly grandparents are respected for their contribution to society and for their wisdom. In our fantasies we see seniors in developing countries surrounded by happy grandchildren begging for another story. The reality is often very different. One in five of the poorest people of the world—those living on less than a dollar a day—are over 60 years of age. While their grown children leave for the cities, for Europe, the United States, or for the army, the elderly in developing nations struggle for daily survival. Moreover, the HIV/AIDS pandemic causes a profound change in the position of the older generation. After having taken care of their dying relatives, many grandparents are left with emotional and financial burdens, often including the task of raising grandchildren. There is an urgent need for a change of attitude toward the elderly, who should not be perceived as a burden to society but as key players in the productive and reproductive field.