Features of Elderly People Perception in Russian Society

Occupation: Researcher, Institute of Socio-Economic Problems of Population FCTAS RAS
Affiliation: Institute of Socio-Economic Problems of Population FCTAS RAS
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Inna B. Nazarova

Occupation: Main Researcher, Institute of Socio-Economic Problems of Population FCTAS RAS
Affiliation: Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population — Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences ISESP FCTAS RAS
Address: Moscow, Russia , Nakhimovsky prospect, 32, 117218

Vera Karpova

Occupation: Senior Lecturer, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Affiliation: Lomonosov Moscow State University
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya

Edition

Issue 10

Pages

104-115

Abstract

The demographic structure of Russian society is undergoing significant changes: the proportion of older people is increasing, the boundaries of the retirement age are shifting, and the structure of the labor market is also changing. The problem is that stereotypes about older people, formed in scientific and public discourse, often have a negative connotation. The purpose of the work is to explore the stable representations of various social groups in relation to older people. Based on the author's empirical research, the paper presents an analysis of the associations that arise with the phrase "elderly person", and also analyzes the degree of agreement and disagreement of the study participants with various judgments about the nature and lifestyle of the elderly. Factor analysis showed which categories of the population are the most loyal and speak positively about the elderly, and which are negatively disposed. Young people show more empathy for the older generation, people of pre-retirement age and the elderly themselves. Negative characteristics of the elderly are attributed to "children" - respondents aged 30-44 years. The core of the consensus in Russian society is represented by the majority, who believe that older people deserve only positive or mostly positive assessments. They see older people as mentors - wise and experienced people who may have squandered some of their physical potential.

Keywords

elderly people, pensioners, stereotypes about the elderly, lifestyle of older people

Acknowledgment

The authors express their gratitude to Anatoly I. Antonov, Doctor of Philosophy, Honored Professor of Moscow State University, for organizing an initiative sociological study “When does old age begin?” and valuable comments on publications.

Publication date

25.12.2023

Number of characters

29621

Cite

GOST	Lyalikova S., Nazarova I., Karpova V. Features of Elderly People Perception in Russian Society // Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya – 2023. – Issue 10 C. 104-115 [Electronic resource]. URL: http://ras.jes.su/socis/s013216250028308-1-1-en (circulation date: 28.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013216250028308-1
MLA	Lyalikova, Sofia, Nazarova, Inna B, Karpova, Vera "Features of Elderly People Perception in Russian Society." Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya 10 (2023):104-115. DOI: 10.31857/S013216250028308-1
APA	Lyalikova S., Nazarova I., Karpova V. (2023). Features of Elderly People Perception in Russian Society. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya (10), pp.104-115 DOI: 10.31857/S013216250028308-1

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