The role of an elderly has been of prime importance since ancient times. People have depended upon elders for advice and instructions. Changing family structure, scientific progress and demographic projections, have brought about a change in attitude towards the aged population of all countries. Unfortunately, the elderly population today is being treated as a burden by the younger generation. However, this attitude is fallacious as the elders can still play a prominent role in society. The role of the elderly in nations progress has great importance as their experience and wisdom pave the path for the younger generation to move efficiently towards their goals. Thus, it is true that the elderly fulfil a vital and indispensable function in society.
The young generation is supposed to be the wealth of any nation; and, the elderly add value to this wealth. Senior citizens accumulate a wealth of wisdom through their experiences. These experiences can be used to teach the young generation about the fine line between right and wrong. The elderly through their anecdotes can help the young people develop values and ideals that could prove beneficial for them. It is often seen that children who grow up in the company of their grandparents are more sympathetic, kind, generous and supportive. Sharing of thoughts develops a sense of togetherness and alienates gloom. The veterans in the family can kindle virtues and restrain vice through amicable guardianship.
Detractors would insist that in today’s world children are growing up surrounded by a different set of challenges. The philosophies of the elderly belong to a different time period and are outdated and irrelevant in the modern context. In the materialistic world of mechanical prevalence, youth would rather prefer to be speedy and smart than slow and steady.
However, truth is never outdated and technology cannot replace human influence. Despite the intervention of eLearning, the role of a teacher is still irreplaceable; so is the role of the elderly. As time is moving fast and the new generation is in a hurry to achieve the goals of life, it becomes all the more important that they be in contact with the elders who can prevent them from tumbling into erroneous pitfalls of modernity.
The elderly can contribute to nations development as zealously as the young and perhaps more. Growing in age does not hamper abilities, in fact it enhances them. Physical weakness and cognitive deterioration are possible but that does not categorize the old people as completely unproductive and useless. The judges in the judiciary, senior professors, scientists, and such people in all fields are working efficiently despite their age. The world has innumerable examples of the aged and even disabled aged individuals making their contributions to the world at large. The anti-Apartheid activist and former South African president Nelson Mandela announced the formation of an international group, The Elders when he was eighty-seven years old. This organisation works for solving the most challenging problems of the world like-HIV AIDS, poverty and climate change and has the support of Kofi Anan, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu and many more social activists and veterans. Famous writers, authors, artists, musicians have added to the aesthetic and artistic creations of the world even in the twilight years of their life. John Milton, after spending his youthful days as political pamphleteer created his masterpieces Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained in later years and after having impaired his vision.
Those that hold opposing views suggest that ageing is inevitably linked to senility. Advancement in science and medical facilities can protect the elderly from mortal chronic diseases, but most of the time they survive with some sort of impairment that makes long term care mandatory. As the dependency ratio, is showing an increased percentage in near future, the elders will only add to the social, financial and moral burden- the young will feel the guilt of not being able to take proper care of the elders- on the young. Lacking not merely in strength but also in standard education, old people cannot actively participate in progressive productivity. The brilliant spark of creativity is found only in a few, while the majority grope about in awful helplessness.
It would be myopic to disregard the fact that medical advancements and improvements in healthcare are keeping the elderly hale and hearty. Elderly today not only survive; they also remain fit and active by indulging in activities like exercise, dance and even swimming. Increased life expectancy and better health are resources that societies should utilize for enhancing productivity as well as strengthening the workforce. The elderly population today is ever ready to compromise and, in many companies, there are aged people who have much younger bosses. The need is to treat the senior citizens with regard and capitalize on their wisdom rather than seclude them as unproductive or a cumbersome load.
The future of the Earth is safe under the prudent care of the baby boomers and the generation X population. Thus, it can well be concluded that the greying lot of citizens fulfil a vital and indispensable function in society.