ELDERLY ABUSE AND NEGLETS IN NIGERIA

Saintchris Ikhidero

Vrije University Brussels, Belgium

All correspondence should be addressed to Saintchris Ikhidero; Department of

Geriatrics & Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, VUB-Belgium.

Email: aikhider@vub.ac.be

ABSTRACTS

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of elderly abuse in Nigeria.

Base on my findings, it is glaring that the level of negligence in the part of the Nigerian

Government and the individual family in terms of support for the elderly is alarming. This

paper try to provides insights and suggestions on how better management and welfare for the

elderly can be improved. Government drawing a clear-cut policy on criminalizing elderly

abuse is also recommended in this work.

INTRODUCTION

Elderly population is increasing in all countries of the world. This is due to several factors which include

decline in fertility, improvement in public health and increase in life expectancy. Decline in fertility was

brought about by more wide spread acceptability of family planning while increase in life expectancy is

attributed to improved medical care brought about by technological advancement. According to a

published U.S Bureau Bulletin of the Census and Database on Ageing in 1988, the world’s total

population is growing at a rate of 1.7 percent per year. The population aged 55 years and above is

increasing by 2.2 percent per year; and the number of persons aged 65 years and over, is rising by 2.8

percent annually. The bulletin shows further that every month, the net balance of the World’s older

population (55 years and over) increases by 1.2 million persons. It is expected that this demographic

pattern will continue (Jacobsen, Kent, Lee, & Mather, 2011). Troisi (2004) observed that already one out

of every ten persons is now 60 years or above. By 2050, one out of five will be 60 years or older and by

2150, one out of three persons will be 60 years or older (Troisi 2004:354). Troisi also observed that the

older population is ageing, that is, the oldest old (80 years or older) is the fastest growing segment –

constituting 11 percent of the 60 years or older age group, is projected to grow to 19 percent by 2050.

The number of centenarians is projected to increase 15-fold from approximately 145,000 in 1999 to 2.2

million by 2050 (Troisi 2004:354).

Even though population of the elderly is increasing in all countries of the world, up till the early 80s, the

demographic transition was mostly viewed as a phenomenon of the developed countries (Sylvia, 2000;

Troisi, 2004). But in fact as observed in the literature the great majority (two-thirds) of those over 60

years of age live in the developing world and that the proportion is increasing steadily and will reach

nearly three-quarters by the 2030s (UNFPA and CBGS, 1999 cited by Sylvia, 2000:9). Troisi (2004)

noted that already in 1985, 56.5 percent of the world’s elderly lived in developing countries and this

proportion is projected to reach 61.5 percent by the turn of the century and 71.9 percent by the year 2025.

In Nigeria, the proportion of the aged population has been increasing.

Before Nigeria independence in 1960, there was a population census conducted in 1952/53. Since

independence, the country had only conducted two successful population censuses in 1963 and 1991. The

total number of persons aged 50 years and above in 1952/53 was 2,448,000. In 1963 and 1991 population

census the total number of persons aged 50 years and above was 3,617,000 and 8,227,782 respectively

(see table 1).

Table 1: Total population of the elderly in 1963 and 1991 population censuses

Ages group 1963

population

census

1991

population

census

(Years) Males Females Total Male Female Total

50-54 683,000 534,000 1,217,000 1,388,650 1,182,149 2,570,799

55-59 277,000 186,000 463,000 638,375 481,394 1,119,769

60-64 447,000 339,000 786,000 898,801 791,573 1,690,37

65-69 162,000 111,000 273,000 408,540 387,400 703,040

70-74 182,000 132,000 314,000 492,186 394,116 886,30

>75 331,000 233,000 1,257,498 1,257,498 1,257,498 1,257,498

Total 2,082,000 1,535,000 3,617,000 4,510,651 3,810,031 8,227,782

Source: Federal Office of Statistics, Lagos

DEFINITION OF AGEISM

Ageism is the stereotyping of, and discrimination against individual or groups because of their age. Since

the inception of the term ageism (Butler, 1969; Nelson, 2002), the concept of ageism has been applied to

a myriad of contexts, which can be looked at broadly and narrowly, depending on the concern (Bytheway,

2005). Butler’s general definition of ageism references it as stereotyping and discriminating specifically

against the old (Butler, 1995). The Gray Panthers’ founder, Maggie Kuhn, envisioned the concept of

ageism as an opportunity for both older adults and youth to bond over a common concern. Her definition

included both ends of the age spectrum, proposing that a young person can be discriminated against

because of their age in the same way as an older person (Bytheway, 2005).

The age-discrimination phenomenon is a two-way thing, combining biases against people adjudged to be

“too old” and those reckoned  “too young” and therefore unsuitable for certain offices or posts in spite of

possession all the requisite attributes and qualifications. But the commonest form is the bias in against the

older persons.

In Nigeria, the only form of discrimination prohibited under the constitution or any other statute are non-

discrimination on the grounds of circumstances of birth, sex, ethnicity, religion, political opinion and

allied matter; there is practically nothing that comes close to banning discrimination on age ground, hence

the imperative of specific law on this issue like we have in other countries.

What you often encounter in job adverts in Nigerian newspapers with respect to person specification is a

huge joke. For a great number of jobs, especially at the graduate entry level, age restrictions are arbitrarily

inserted as a cogent condition delimiting the applicants’ suitability for the jobs.  However, when you go

through the job descriptions specifying the roles to be performed, you would be surprised that the

restriction always seems egregiously cosmetic, not having been dictated by pragmatic necessity.

In Nigeria, the following stereotypes have been observed:

Negative stereotypes

Older people are viewed as being destructive for example; in most homes they are restricted from

using breakable plates.

They are also viewed as having nothing to offer and not productive.

This is linked to disengagement theory which states that “aging is an inevitable, mutual

withdrawal or disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and

others in the social system they belongs to Cunning and Henry 1961. After retirement people

should not engage in new activities and roles.

They are perceived as vulnerable to illness, such as arthritis, hypertension, dementia etc.

Age discrimination in employment has been cited as another reason why people dread the thought

of getting old. In fact, many people have been known to reduce their age during job interviews as

many employers want young graduates. A look at most of the vacancies for graduate positions

will reveal that applicants are not expected to be over 27 years old.

This is linked to Age stratification theory which refers to the hierarchical ranking of people into

age groups within a society. Age stratification which is based on an ascribed status is a major

source inequality, and thus may lead to ageism. Andersen, Margaret L.; Taylor, Howard Francis

(2006)

They are seen as weak and not useful.

They are limitedly represented in the media, for example, TV shows are normally about youths

and children, and you never get to seen representation of the elderly on media.

They are highly neglected for example, not being taking out for sigh-scenes, beach and for

holidays.

Although the elder are most often seen are not useful in our society, there are also exits some

positive stereotypes about them which includes the following:

In Nigerian culture, the old are revered and respected; they are looked upon as jewels and stand

on pedestals within the community. A clear example of this is seen in how the Nigerian tradition

has a special way of greeting the elderly. One has to slowly arch his or her knees until they are

just above the ground, and say, “Assalamu Alaikum ma,” to the women, and “Assalamu Alaikum

sir,” to the men. If one does not do this, he or she is looked upon as an ill-mannered individual. In

addition, there are severe punishments for those that disrespect elders, whether the older person in

question is strange or familiar to them.

They are more experienced

Social constructivism is a sociological theory of knowledge that applies the general philosophical

constructivism into social settings, wherein groups construct knowledge for one another,

collaboratively creating a small culture of shared artifacts with shared meanings. When one is

immersed within a culture of this sort, one is learning all the time about how to be a part of that

culture on many levels. Wright, Edmond (2005)

They are wise and useful

This is linked to the Activity theory which is also known as the implicit theory of aging, normal

theory of aging, and lay theory of aging, proposes that successful aging occurs when older adults

stay active and maintain social interactions. It takes the view that the ageing process is delayed

and the quality of life is enhanced when old people remain socially active.

Political power

S

This is linked to the Continuity theory of normal aging which states that older adults will usually

maintain the same activities, behaviors, personalities, and relationships as they did in their earlier

years of life. According to this theory, older adults try to maintain this continuity of lifestyle by

adapting strategies that are connected to their past experiences. Atchley R. C. (1989).

Recommendations and Policies

There should be need for the introduction of Gerontological Education and intergenerational

programmers in the school system.

Nigeria youths need to be made aware of the nature of aging, how it affects everyone’s life and the

need to care for the elderly. This will help influence the altitudes of young people about aging and

ageism.

There should be a Government policy criminalizing any form of discrimination in Nigeria.

Conclusion

Ageism or stereotyping is a major factor of neglect in Nigeria as the people or even the

Governments do not see any good thing coming out of this age group; hence there is no policy in

place prioritizing them. This has led to the deficiency in the sight of the Government to fulfill the

part of the law that makes provision for the elderly in Nigeria. Since aging is a normal

phenomenon, it is advice that all hands must be on deck to provide and take care of older adults

in Nigeria. You might be the next so act now and take care of the old.

References

Andersen, Margaret L.; Taylor, Howard Francis (2006). Sociology: the essentials. Cengage

Learning. pp. 87 (88)

Atchley R. C. (1989). "A continuity theory of normal aging". The Gerontologist 29 (2): 183–190.

Jacobsen, L. A., Kent, M., Lee, M., & Mather, M. (2011). Population Bulletin, 66(1).

Nelson, T. D. (2005). Ageism: Prejudice Against Our Feared Future Self. Journal of Social

Issues, 61(2), 207–221.

Palmore, Erdman Ballagh; Branch, Laurence G.; Harris, Diana K. (2005). Encyclopedia of

ageism, Psychology Press. p. 17.

Richard Schulz (2006). The Encyclopedia of Aging: A-K. Springer Publishing Company. pp. 9–

13.

Sana Loue; Martha Sajatovic (2008). Encyclopedia of Aging and Public Health. Springer. pp. 79–

81.

Troisi Joseph (2004) “Ageing in Africa: Older persons as a resource” A paper presented at the

International Conference on “Rapid Ageing and the changing role of the elderly in African

households”, Organized by the Union for African Population Studies UAPS/UEPA (Senegal), the

HSRC in collaboration with the Department of Social Development (South Africa) 18-20 August,

2004, Pretoria, South Africa.

Wright, Edmond (2005), Narrative, Perception, Language, and Faith, Basingstoke: Palgrave

Macmillan, pp. 103–120.