Age: Cultures around the world

Question 1

What does gerontocracy ?

Answer 1

When a society is ruled by leaders who are older than most of the population
E.g Samburu tribe (Kenya) - elders get to pick their wives first in the polygamist society

Question 2

How is age treated in a nomadic society ?

Answer 2

Nomadic society: moving from place to place with no intention of setting in the new location.
- The elderly as a burden
- they begin to be unable to follow the nomadic lifestyle
- old are likely to be neglected and killed as a result

Question 3

What was Gentlemen’s study about age and culture ?

Answer 3

• Observed elderly residents in a care home
• The lack of visits from relative make it an unpleasant experience
• A nurse said ‘it is a place where the elderly are left by their families to die’

Question 4

What did Johnson say about age ?

Answer 4

• Studied the fulani
• By the age of 4; girls were expected to look after their siblings and fetch water
• By the age of 6, girls are expected to help their mothers sell items at the market