Feminization of old age

Published on 17 Feb 2025

The term feminization of ageing refers to the observation that a larger proportion of the elderly population is composed of women compared to men. Moreover, the term also highlights the increased dependency of older females in the society.

Reasons for feminization of old age

✔     Longer life expectancy for women: Biological factors and lower susceptibility to certain diseases have resulted in better life expectancy for women over men.

●      Example: As per a Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections, females have a life expectancy of 70.7 while it is 68.2 for males.

✔     Young age mortality among men: Exposure to workplace hazards, accidents and other lifestyle diseases have resulted in many men dying at a younger age. Due to limited freedom offered to women, they are less vulnerable to such mortalities.

●      Example: According to Delhi Traffic Police data, men account for 91% of road accident-related deaths.

✔     Age gap during marriage: Age gap between the bride and groom is pretty high in traditional Indian marriages and hence women often outlive their spouses with many women ending up as widows.

●      Example: As per a Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections, 22% of females between the age of 60 to 64 are widows.

✔     Economic disparity: Women in India have less access to the employment market and usually end up without any savings during old-age. This makes them financially dependent on their children.

●      Example: PLFS 2018-19 notes that only 18% of women between 60-64 years participated in economic activity while it is 65% for elderly men.

✔     Cultural restrictions upon women: The society limits women from the use of intoxicants like tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, which makes them healthier than men who frequently use them.

Impact of feminization of old age

✔     Isolation within family: Absence of partner may isolate aged women in the household as children get busy with their own work. This affects the mental health of older women.

●      Example: A study by National Bureau of Economic Research revealed, of the surveyed older women who experienced loneliness, more than 60% were not living with their spouse.

✔     Economic insecurity: Women in India are mostly unemployed and this leaves them with no savings during old age.  Dependence on children for their demands makes them insecure.

●      Example:  Only 10% of the rural and 11% of urban females were reported as economically independent while compared to 48% of the rural and 75% of the urban male population. This creates an economic insecurity during old age.

✔     Increased chances of destitution: Age-old mothers with little economic resources might become a burden for some children, who prefer to shift mothers to old-age homes.

●      Example: As per AgeWell India report, out of 25000 homeless people in Bengaluru, around 7500 are old age women.

✔     Caregiving burden: Despite having health issues, older women are compelled to perform domestic chores and caregiving functions, which makes them weaker.

✔     Inadequate access to healthcare: Old women find it difficult to access timely health facilities due to financial and transportation constraints, which further deteriorates their health.

✔     Abuse and maltreatment: Aged women who are alone are also prone to abuse from their children and relatives as they are considered as a burden.

●      Example: According to HelpAge India reports, 16% older women faced abuse, with 31% among them facing psychological abuse.

Way forward

✔     Economic empowerment of women: Promotion of formal and self-employment among women with social security net to ensure independence during old age. This increases their accessibility to health and other necessary services.

✔     Changes in the marriage system: The age gap between male and female needs to be reduced to ensure women are not spending long years as widows.

✔     Improving the lifestyle of men: Healthier lifestyle and limiting the use of intoxicants serves beneficial for increasing the lifespan of men.

Feminization of aging is indeed an issue which needs to be looked upon as India’s old age population is increasing. The government shall take measures to empower women so that they do not suffer from disadvantages when they reach old age. The social differentiation between male and female shall also be eliminated to reduce events like feminization of ageing.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. (2020)

Tags:
Social Justice

Keywords:
Feminization of old age Elderly population Women

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 2

Topics:
Social Justice