"ownership (except for inherited and self- acquired gold or jewelry) than eldermales. It is confirmed by the percentage of elderly people who do not own anyasset. Also, savings in bonds, shares, mutual funds and life insurance forms a veryminor part in both rural and urban areas. (ibid)(F)MARITAL STATUSThe marital status graph shows that the elder females are generally found to bemore widowed than their male counterparts. In the age group of 80+, around 71%females are widowed whereas in the same age group only 29% males are widowed.This may reflect the fact that the higher age males tend to marry with smaller agergirls. (ibid)Chart 12: percent of elderly in various age groups by marital status 24 1.4 CONCERNS & NEED OF THE STUDYIn the scenario of changing demographic structures and social values, the conditionof old age people is becoming more critical. Old age abuse has become a commonproblem in both rural and urban areas due to the disappearance of traditional normsand values of Indian society as reflected in the change in lifestyles. Earlier, thetraditional norms required younger people to pay respect to the elderly people andin such a way the old age was never seen as a fear. However, the transition tomodernization and urbanization has certainly worsened the troubles of olderpersons. Now old people face many problems such as economic and physicaldependence, isolation and insecurity and loss of respect. With the increase in lifeexpectancy of old people, the households are getting smaller and congested,causing stress in joint families. As a result of the current ageing scenario, there isgrowing need for care of the older persons in terms of social, economic, health andshelter. In addition, with changes in lifestyle and the desire to live independently,the concept of senior citizen home, club or association has also been introduced. Soapart from the rising need of care of these people, security is another major issuewhich requires attention. Therefore this study is important to attain the depth of the issue and the followingconsequences in both urban and rural areas. Also the information obtained from thestudy will drive focus on the implementation of policy and program for improvingthe well-being and quality of life of the elderly in terms of social security. Alsoactions will be taken at the individual, family, community, governmental and non- governmental levels for the same.25 CHAPTER 2ELDERLY ABUSE – A GROWING PROBLEMThe world focused its attention on the persistently rising number of elder abuseinstances since the latter half of the past century. There has been a huge consensuson the need to take care of the elderly and recognize their problems as beinginclusive to households in particular and the society in general. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2002), elderly abuse isdefined as:“A single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within anyrelationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distressto the older person”(Missing Voices: views of older persons on elder abuse,2002)Thus, it can be said that the issue of mistreatment of the elderly has now beenacknowledged formally and has moved out of the boundaries of being just adomestic affair.It is a common sight to see newspapers and news channels being flooded withreports of physical and emotional atrocities inflicted on the elderly. A number ofscholars have worked on identifying the risk-factors of elderly abuse. The mostimportant of them that make the elderly vulnerable to abuse include their physicaldisabilities which make them dependent on their children for physical and at timesmonetary assistance. The elderly may even be intentionally left to stay aloof orwithout establishing social connections despite they being staying under the sameroof with their children and grandchildren. Other possible risk-factors includebeing less educated, widowed and of a relatively advanced age (Naughton, et al.,2010). The series of risk-factors mentioned above have a natural bearing on the elderly.The effects of ill-treatment can range from anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, emotional- outbursts, to as severe as depression and untimely/premature death (ibid.).26 The abuse of the older people may exist in various forms. These forms can beclassified in the following way (Missing Voices: views of older persons on elderabuse, 2002): ? Physical abuse involves acts like slapping, hitting with an object, pushing etc.? Psychological/Emotional abuse entails acts of isolating the elderly,threatening and disrespecting them in general.? Financial/Material abuse includes incidents like stealing money in possessionof the elderly, providing them with insufficient resources to meet their needs orforcing them to sign property related documents.? Sexual abuse involves acts like hurling sexually abusive comments on theelderly or touching them in a sexually offensive manner.? Neglect of the older people may include denial of medical and personal care bychildren that may have serious impact on the well-being of the elderly.? Abandonment involves forcible exclusion of the older person from thehousehold so that they are left with no choice but to stay in old-agehomes.(ibid)The notion of being responsible and caring towards parents and elderly in generalare inbuilt in the minds of all since childhood. Institutions like schools, familiesand close relatives are the ones to imbibe these fundamental values in youngchildren. Yet, issues of elderly abuse have existed and reported since ages inalmost all societies, though utmost concern in this regard has risen lately. In the Indian society, a social stigma is associated with the problem of elderlyabuse due to which a significant number of cases go unreported. There is also awidespread belief among the elderly that neglect and mistreatment at the hands offamily members, acquaintances and unknowns is a natural result of ageing that hasto be accepted without voicing distress. The older people also fear that they wouldbe subjected to a greater degree of abuse and neglect if they complain about it orask for some help from an outsider. Therefore, a vast number of cases of abuseagainst the elderly go unrecorded. Also, in a number of cases, justice is denied tothe older persons on account of insufficient evidence against perpetrators andwitnesses turning hostile.27 "