Modernization, Modernity, and Perceptions of Aging: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

Data from a comparative study of 5,450 young males in six developing nations were used to investigate the association between modernization or modernity and negative attitudes toward aging. The findings question the frequent assertion that "modernity" (the exposure of individuals in developing nations to industrial technology and urban social experience) results in negative perceptions of aging and diminished value attributed to the aged. The data do provide support for the hypothesis that "modernization" (societal development) is related to negative perceptions of aging. Results suggest the necessity of differentiating between "modernization" and "modernity" as levels of analysis and of avoiding value-laden assumptions concerning advantages of either traditional or industrial social settings with respect to the position of elders.

Examining Supportive Evidence for Psychosocial Theories of Aging within the Oral History Narratives of Centenarians

“…For example, the usefulness of older adults eroded with the shift from an agricultural to a more industrial society [39]. The theory has been used to understand negative attitudes toward aging [41], as well as family relationships [42] and family caregiving dynamics [43]. Achenbaum and Sterns [44] note there needs to be more agreement regarding when modernization first began as well as classifying stages within modernization.…”

Feelings towards Older vs. Younger Adults: Results from the European Social Survey

“…One may live in a highly modern society, yet demonstrate low levels of modernity or vice versa. Studying the relationship between ageism, modernization and modernity in six countries, these researchers found that modernization-but not modernity-was associated with negative attitudes towards older adults (Bengtson et al, 1975). Others employed qualitative or historical means to evaluate the relationship between attitudes towards older adults and modernization within a single country, reaching mixed conclusions about such a relationship (Chow & Bai, 2011;Rhoads, 1984).…”

“…Following a distinction between modernization and modernity, the present study evaluates both macro-and microlevel predictors of ageism using the modernization theory as a conceptual framework (Bengtson et al, 1975;Inglehart & Welzel, 2009 cross-national survey, such as the European Social Survey, the present study evaluates both macrolevel predictors that vary across cultures and societies and microlevel predictors that vary across individuals. The study is an attempt to explain variations in the occurrence of explicit negative and positive feelings towards older (individuals over 70) vs. younger (individuals in their 20s) adults.…”

“…As macrolevel variables, several characteristics of potential relevance to modernization were selected in accordance with past theory and empirical work (Bengtson et al, 1975;Cowgill & Holmes, 1972;Palmore & Manton, 1974). These include percent of individuals over the age of 60, gross national income, and level of education.…”

College students' trait ratings of three age groups around the Pacific Rim

“…It has been suggested that traditional values of filial piety have been eroded by the industrialization and urbanization of Asia in recent years (Bengtson & Smith 1968). An alternative explanation is that public avowals of filial piety belie private ascriptions to a negative view of aging and older adults (for related work, see Koyano 1989;McGee & Barker 1982).…”