Understanding Elderly Abuse in India: A Study of Key Factors and Regional Variations

Vishal Vishal, Central University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Elderly abuse in India is a growing concern, exacerbated by the rapid ageing of the population and the erosion of traditional family structures. As India transitions into a more urbanized and economically driven society, the vulnerability of older adults has increased significantly. The prevalence of elderly abuse varies widely across Indian States, influenced by socioeconomic conditions, cultural norms, and the effectiveness of local governance. This paper attempts to capture the variations in regional abuse experienced by elderly and ascertain region-wise socio-economic determinants of elderly abuse in India using the unit level data of Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), Wave-1, 2020. The data reveals that around 5.2% of elderly individuals in India have experienced some form of ill-treatment in the past year. Among different regions, the North region has the highest frequency of abuse, while the Northeast region has the lowest. Emotional abuse is the most common type of abuse experienced by the elderly. Family members, especially sons and daughters-in-law, are reported as the most common perpetrators of elder abuse. Socio-economic factors such as marital status, education level, and work status also play a role in determining the likelihood of elderly abuse.

Keywords: Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations, Population Ageing, Gender Dynamics, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

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