SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF ELDERLY IN KASHMIR WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SRINAGAR DISTRICT

In today's contemporary society ageing is the most emerging demographic phenomenon. Asia has the largest number of the world's elderly 53% followed by Europe 25%. In 2050, 82% of the world's elderly will be in developing regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean while only 16% of them will reside in the developed regions of Europe and North America. Ageing is therefore rapidly emerging as the problem of developing countries particularly in Kashmir. In traditional Kashmiri society, the informal support systems of the family, kinship and the community are considered strong enough to provide social security to its members; including older people. Urbanization, industrialization and ongoing phenomenon of globalization have cast their shadow on traditional values and norms within the society. The many psychological, emotional problems of elderly influence the social functioning and well-being of individuals in different ways. This is evident from the various studies carried out in the area of sociology by various scholars throughout the world. The study has been carried out in Kashmir context and aimed to trace the various problems of elderly people in Kashmir. This paper attempts to examine the impact of conflict/turmoil on elderly in Kashmir and the socio-psychological problems of elderly in Kashmir. The paper is based on secondary sources of data and other relevant literature wherever necessary. The statement will also be supplanted by participant observation of the authors.