Old Age

It is expected, according to the World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision, that the number of elderly people in the country is likely to increase to 320 million by 2050. This is expected to increase from 88 million people in 2009. The population of elderly is expected to increase by 360 percent from 2000 to 2050. The latest report from Health Age India states that one in three elderly people are abused in the country. In addition, the report also states that 50 percent of the abuse comes within the family and in 56 percent of the cases, the abuse was from the son. In one of the leading metros, only 52.7 percent of children assist their elderly parents during sickness. The number of old age homes have exponentially increased across the country and more importantly, there are large number of elderly people in the country who can neither go to an old age home nor live in peace within their homes. Do they deserve such treatment?
In a rapidly materialistic society, parents seem to have become liabilities and not assets. The modern urban population is so consumed with accumulation of their own personal needs; there is neither time nor space for them to share with their parents. In most cases, the intent seems to be there on the children but the priorities are skewed, giving preference to social stigmas and compulsions. Since society has set money as a benchmark for everything, that is the only thing that seems to be the barometer for a lot of young adults. These are cases that have lower priorities for parents in their day to day activities. However, the cases of abuse are to, put it simply, appalling.
The statistics show that one in 3 is abused among the aged population. How despicable is that to even read? Gratitude seems to be thrown into the dustbin and by these numbers; there is a trend to suggest that their presence is a major liability to the children in today's world. There are large number of cases in which parents are abused for family wealth and...