Sociološki vidiki odnosa mladih do staranja, starosti in starejših ljudi v slovenski postmoderni družbi : doktorska disertacija

slovenian

doktorska dela

2016

Univerza v Mariboru, Filozofska fakulteta

According to intensive aging and prolonged life expectancy of population in all societies in the world, especially in the Western countries, it is becoming increasingly important to understand and perceive factors of one's own aging, as well as the creation of a positive attitude to the elderly in general. Despite the fact that the age can be healthy and productive, discrimination against the elderly and the aging anxiety is deeply rooted in the culture of modern societies. Unfortunately, it is present in Slovenia, too. The aim of the doctoral thesis was to study the sociological aspects of the attitudes of young people to aging, age and older people in the Slovenian postmodern society. Based on the theoretical sociological approaches on aging and ageism, some of the factors which indicate differences in attitude towards older people and the perception of fear of aging among young people were discussed. We focused on high school and the student population, and in the research sample were surveyed 1234 young people aged 15 to 29 years (M = 19,1, SD = 3,1) in north-eastern Slovenia. The results of the analysis of this empirical research did not confirm our prediction that among the interviewed young people predominate ageist attitudes. But on the basis of obtained empirical data, we recognized presence of fear of aging among young people; more specifically, fear of loss (e.g. the loneliness). Significant differences were present regarding gender, both in relation to the elderly (male respondents more often feel ageism), and their perception of fear of ageing (women surveyed are more concerned about physical appearance and loneliness in the future).We also noted that among the interviewed young people there were differences in the perception of fear of age by level of education and place of residence. It was also found, surprisingly, that family type does not affect the level of ageism. Much more important liaison was found between the degree of ageism and educational styles in the family. Positive correlation was also confirmed between the fear of aging and ageism that are negatively correlated with knowledge about aging. Based on the theoretical and empirical knowledge, we have formed a sociological educational model for the prevention of negative or maintaining of positive young people's attitudes to the elderly, to help overcome the fear of aging among young people and, ultimately, for the efficient implementation of this content in the area of the family, education, and intergenerational cooperation.

08.08.2023