Who Is Old and When Is a Woman Old? Cultural, Social and Economic Meanings

Abstract

The definition of old age is very much problematic since it varies across and within a particular culture and society. It has no absolute definition or meaning. It is difficult to define old age on the basis of chronological and physiological degeneration of a certain person. Different socio-cultural and economic factors should be considered to label someone as old. On the other hand, a woman does not become old at the same time as a man. It is the society where she lives and the culture to which she belongs that specify the parameters for her to be labelled as old. A woman may become older in a number of ways that are different from a man. This article examines the ways in which we can enrich our understanding of the definitional complexities surrounding the question of who is old and when is a woman old.