Practical Research Report

On
Challenges of Elderly Widow Women: Some Cases
Chandpur District, Bangladesh

Course Title: Practical Research

Course Code: HRSJ-1233

Prepared by
MD: ALI-HOSSEN
(Research Team Leader)
Research Group -05
Session: 2021-2022 (5th Batch)
MSS in Human Rights & Social Justice

Department of Social Work

Jagannath University, Dhaka
May, 2023
 Practical Research Report
On
Challenges of Elderly Widow Women: Some Cases Chandpur
District, Bangladesh
This report has been carried out to partial fulfillment for the degree of MSS
in Human rights and social justice.

Course Title: Practical Research

Course Code: HRSJ-1233
Guided and Supervised By

Professor Dr. Razina Sultana

Chairman
Department of Social Work
Jagannath University

Submitted by
MD: ALI-HOSSEN
(Research Team Leader)
Research Group: 05
Session: 2021-2022 (5th Batch)
MSS in Human Rights & Social Justice

Department of Social Work

Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh
 Presented by
Group - 05

SL. No. Names of the group Student ID Photo

members
01. MD. ALI-HOSSEN. SMP-H05313
(Research Team Leader)

02. MD. GOLAM GILANI SMP-H05309

03. ANUP KISHOR DAS SMP-H05310

04. MD. ISA ZAKARIA SMP-H05311

05. TASHIK JAHAN SMP-H05312

06. SEZAN MAHMUD SMP-H05314

07. MD. ZOBAYAR HAQUE SMP-H05315

08. HEMAL SARKER SMP- H05316

Department of Social Work

Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh
 Declaration

We hereby declare that the practical research entitled: 'Rights & challenges elderly
women face after their husband death' submitted to the Jagannath University,
Department of Social Work, is a record of original work done by us under the
guidance of our research supervisor Dr. Razina Sultana, Professor, Department of
Social Work. And this report (course code: HRSJ-1233) is submitted to the
Department of Social Work, Jagannath University as a partial fulfillment of the
requirement for the Degree of MSS in Human rights and social justice (HRSJ).The
results embodied in this report have not been submitted to any other university or
institute for the award of any type of work.

…………………………….. ………………………………
MD. ALI-HOSSEN. TASHIK JAHAN
(Research Team Leader) ID: SMP-H05312
ID: SMP- H05313

……………………………… ………………………………
MD. GOLAM GILANI SEZAN MAHMUD
ID: SMP-H05309 ID: SMP-H05314

……………………………… …………………………….
ANUP KISHOR DAS MD. ZOBAYAR HAQUE
ID: SMP-H05310 ID: SMP-H05315

……………………………….. ……………………………….
MD. ISA ZAKARIA HEMAL SARKER
ID: SMP-H05311 ID: SMP-H05316
 Acknowledgement

Human society in general in the complicated social relationship uses and procedures
of authority, mutual aid and assistance, co-operations, humanity and relationships
exist in the manner of people. A grateful person always remembers or recognizes the
help and assistance when he gets any simple or outstanding cooperation and
assistance. During our practical research, we got some unforgettable co-operation
and logical support, whenever we encountered obstacles and critical problems. We
are eager to take the opportunity to express our heartiest gratitude and cordial thanks
to those individuals whose direct assistance and inspiration has helped us complete
our practical research and in writing the practical research report.

We would like to express our plain-hearted thanks and sincerest gratitude to our
honorable teacher and research supervisor Professor Dr. Razina Sultana, Department
of Social Work, Jagannath University. At all stages of our research, her scholastic
directions, valuable guidance and suggestions have helped us to complete our
practical research and prepare this report. It was not possible for us to reveal this
report without his affection and active cooperation with a thankful heart.

We would like to thank the Department of Social Work for giving us the opportunity
and providing other necessary support.

We would like to offer my special thanks to the respondents who provide us

necessary co-operation for collecting data and information despite their busy
schedule and we would like to thank our fellow research members who help us
provide information and for their kind help.
 Abstract

The present study was conducted in some villages of Bangladesh. Purposive

methodology was used to select a representative sample. Participants were
interviewed via questionnaire in Bangla about The challenges have to face after their
husband death, in addition to questions regarding socio-economic background,
social support, and the problem elderly widows face. Specific elder women
mistreatment categories included emotional, physical, financial, and neglect. The
study was conducted on the basis of population of 20 and above female that's why
households were selected by purposive sampling Sample size was 20. The analysis
shows that the elderly women are unable to challenge their abusers and have no way
of reporting their abuse and so many suffer in silence. Abuse and neglect situation
are very prominent in Bangladeshi society as most of the respondents were found to
be neglected in different forms. For now, families continue to bear the burden of
caring for their elderly members but this is increasingly difficult for them. The
findings of the study should get due attention to provide a secured later life of the
elderly women in Bangladesh and developing nations as well. We also recognize
that persons, as they age, should enjoy a life of fulfillment, health, security and active
participation in the economic, social, cultural and political life of their societies. We
are determined to enhance the recognition of the dignity of older persons and to
eliminate all forms of abuse and neglect towards them.
 Table of contents
SL. NO Topic Page no
Declaration i

Acknowledgement ii

Abstract iii

Chapter One
1.1 Introduction 1-4

1.2 Rational of the study 5-6

1.3 Objectives of the study 7

1.4 Literature review 8 - 15

1.5 Theoretical framework 16

1.6 Operational definition 17 - 18

Chapter Two
2.1 Methodology of the study

2.2 Area of the study

2.3 Sampling

2.4 Source of Data

19 - 21
2.5 Instrument of data collection

2.6 Ethical considerations

2.7 Limitations of the research

2.8 Further scope of research

Chapter Three
3.1 Findings of this research 23 - 36

3.2 Recommendation 37 - 38

3.3 Conclusion 39 - 41

3.4 References 42
Chapter One

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Rational of the study

1.3 Objectives of the study

1.4 Literature review

1.5 Conceptual framework

1.6 Operational definition

1.1 Introduction

Elderly is a biological, social and cultural phenomenon. It is a very burning issue

because the number of elderly people is increasing all over the world. Globally total
fertility rate has declined from 5.0 live births per woman in 1950-1955 to 2.7 live
births per woman in 2000-2005, and is expected to further reduce to replacement
level, that is 2.2 live births per woman by 2045-2050 periods (UN, 2005). Also, life
expectancy has increased from 46.5 years in 1950 to 66.0 years in 2000-2005, and
is expected to rise to 77.2 years by the year 2045-2050 (World Population Prospects,
2022).
The two most populous regions were both in Asia: Eastern and South-Eastern Asia
with 2.3 billion people (29 per cent of the global population), and Central and
Southern Asia with 2.1 billion (26 per cent). China and India, with more than 1.4
billion each, accounted for most of the population in these two regions. (World
Population Prospects, 2022).

With a global explosion in the older adult population, elder abuse is expected to
become an even more pressing problem, affecting millions of individuals worldwide.
Elder abuse is associated with devastating individual consequences and societal
costs, meriting attention as a serious public health issue. In this article, we provide
an overview of global issues in the field of elder abuse, with a focus on prevention.
This emphasis is appropriate because elder abuse is likely the most widespread
problem of older people that is largely preventable (unlike many disease conditions
of old age). Therefore, a better understanding of causes and prevention of elder abuse
should be a major international priority. Fortunately, an improving international
scientific literature has accompanied this growing concern, including prevalence
studies in a number of countries and international comparative projects. In addition,

1
prevention strategies have been increasingly documented in some countries
(Pillemer, Burnes, Riffin, & Lachs, 2016).

A person mainly passes five stages in his lifespan. The stages are infancy, childhood,
adolescence, adulthood and old age. Old age starts after sixty years of age and ends
in death. Old age is one of the vulnerable situations in a natural process of life. In
this stage, people experience decreased physical strength and deteriorating health
conditions with age related disease. All over the world the proportion of elderly are
increasing while the number of children is decreasing.

Globally, there were 727 million persons aged 65 years or over in 2020. Since
women live longer than men, on average, they comprise the majority of older
persons, especially at advanced ages. Over the next three decades, the number of
older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching over 1.5 billion
in 2050. All regions will see an increase in the size of the older population between
2020 and 2050. Globally, the share of the population aged 65 years or over is
expected to increase from 9.3 per cent in 2020 to around 16.0 per cent in 2050.
(World Population Ageing Report 2020 highlights)

These numbers were 468549, 307699 and 57576 in Asia, 60033, 38513 and 5248 in
Africa, 169874, 125152 and 33239 in Europe. The statistical data of Bangladesh
indicate that the number of aged populations has increased from 1.38 million to 7.59
million from the year of 1974-2012. Bangladesh is the seventh largest populated
(152.51 million) and most densely (1019 person live per square kilometers) country.
Furthermore, the nuclear family is increasing in Bangladesh day by day and older
people are left alone living separately from their family and becoming vulnerable.

2
This condition demands more health and welfare services and more provision to the
elderly support system. (Barikdar, Ahmed, & Lasker, 2016).

Elderly is the last part of human life and is a natural process through which everyone
must undergo. It is inevitable and irreversible. Now-a-days they are often treated as
a burden and at the same time they are abused and neglected in every sector of life.
The family, the society or the community, the states even the global sector
negligence is found all around. As adults grow older, they may become more
physically frail, may not see or hear as well as they used to, and may develop
cognitive problems such as dementia. As a result, they become increasingly
vulnerable to abuse and neglect.

Abuse is a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any
relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to
an older person (World Health Organization, 2002),
Approximately 450,000 non-institutionalized elderly persons aged 60 and over were
victims of abuse and/or neglect, or about 1% to 2% of the total population. National
Elder Abuse Incidence Study pub. By the US Administration on Aging (AOA).
Elderly women abuse and negligence spread its root everywhere in Bangladesh
especially in rural areas. About 80% of the elderly live in rural areas. Their sufferings
are the cumulative effects of a lifetime (The Daily star, 2011).
Bangladesh is an agriculture based rural society. It is characterized by
overpopulation, massive illiteracy, poor health, natural disaster, low agricultural
productivity, undeveloped industrial base, severe unemployment etc. which create
severe poverty changing their values and fragmented their family (Samad, 2002).
This changing situation may relate with elder abuse and negligence.

3
 Elderly women mistreatment related study is not common in Bangladesh. Some
studies found on their life, rights, poverty, economic condition, health support etc.
But as their socio- economic and psychological aspect is concerned, we need to
know the intensity of the abuse and negligence related to socio-economic conditions
and to put them in a proper perspective. That's why we studied the issue "Socio-
Economic Condition and Elderly Mistreatment: A Study on Rural Elderly in
Bangladesh"
Demographic Situation of the Elderly in Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is the seven largest countries in the world with a population of more than 158
million in a geographical area of 147,570 sq. km and has a density of 1142 people per
square k/m. In the demographic transition Bangladesh is currently in a stage when the death
rate has shown further decline and the birth rate tends to fail resulting in high population
growth. From the National census 1974-2011 we found that the growth of elderly people
is gradually high. We saw this number given the table below:
Table 1: Elderly population census from 1974-2022

SL. Age Population Population Population Population Population Population

No.
group Census of Census of Census of Census of Census of & housing
1974 1981 1991 2001 2011 Census of
2022

01 55-59 1351885 1620374 1949721 2356440 2865412 4013354

02 60-64 1682629 1948649 2270142 2828640 3218974 5598877

03 65-69 735255 901571 1092919 1443140 1998760 3930775

04 70-74 1639056 1639056 2339704 3318560 4168745 2824212

Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 2022
This change in population characteristics will have serious consequences on the society as
well as on the overall socio-economic development of the country.

4
1.2 Rationale of the Study

Elderly is the last part of human life and is a natural process through which everyone
must undergo. It is inevitable and irreversible. Now-a-days they are often treated as
a burden and at the same time they are abused and neglected in every sector of life.
The family, the society or the community, the states even the global sector
negligence is found all around. As adults grow older, they may become more
physically frail, may not see or hear as well as they used to, and may develop
cognitive problems such as dementia. As a result, they become increasingly
vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Elderly and neglect are interrelated. In Bangladesh
it has been recognized as a growing problem. In our country abuse and negligence
is a prime and hidden problem (Zohra, R.H.T. & et al, 2013).
There are different patterns such as physical, psychological, emotional, and financial
and so on.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, the number of older adults who
are mistreated each year is close to 5 million and is rising. For being abused many
old men are often seen begging in streets or asking for charity. Not a few are seen in
risky work, despite their broken health, live in frustration and suffer from illness and
pains without care and company (Banglapedia, 2003). About 44.3% people live
under absolute poverty both in rural and urban areas. These poor families are unable
to meet the basic needs of the older people including food, health care, clothing,
adequate shelter and access to income or employment opportunities. Commenting
on a seminar paper, Professor Ali Akbar says, irrespective of whether they resided
in urban or rural areas, a significant portion of the elderly men lived a solitary life,
singly. More than two thirds of the elderly men lived in nuclear families where they
were likely to be the main breadwinners (CPD, 2002). Find no other alternative to
maintain their life expenses; the elderly women involve them in Beggary and

5
someone commit suicide though the suicidal act is very insignificant in our country.
From a study, it is found that 43.1% people have no income source where 86.3% are
involved in beggary (Hossain & et.al, 2006).

Elderly women abuse and negligence spread its root everywhere in Bangladesh
especially in rural areas. About 80% of the elderly live in rural areas. Their sufferings
are the cumulative effects of a lifetime (The Daily star, 2011). Bangladesh is an
agriculture based rural society. It is characterized by overpopulation, massive
illiteracy, poor health, natural disaster, low agricultural productivity, undeveloped
industrial base, severe unemployment etc, which create severe poverty, changing
their values and fragmented their family (Samad, 2002). This changing situation may
relate with elder abuse and negligence.

Studies related to abuse and neglect in Bangladesh are not common. Seldom are
some studies found on their life, poverty, economic condition, health support etc.
But as their socio- economic and psychological aspect is concerned, we need to
know the intensity of the abuse and negligence and to put their planning and proper
perspective. That's why we studied the issue "Socio-economic condition and
elderly mistreatment: A study on rural elderly in Bangladesh".

This study intends to examine whether there is any relation between Socio-economic
condition and elderly mistreatment. And also, may be helpful for others related
research. Besides that, study results may draw the attention of lawyers, plan and
policymakers, social workers, NGO workers, human rights workers, different types
of relevant organizations and other interested readers.

6
1.3 Objectives of the study
The overall objective of the study is to examine the challenges elderly women have
to face after their husband's death.
To gain the general objectives of the study the following are the specific objectives.

The specific objectives are:

1. To know the socio-economic condition of the elderly women.
2. To know the problem elderly widows face their husband death.
3. To know who takes care of the elderly widow.
4. To know the changes in the family members behavior towards the widow.
5. To know the support that they get from society.

7
1.4 Literature review
The rapid growth in the proportion of people aged 60 and above is creating an
unprecedented level of global demographic revolution, and Bangladesh is no
exception from this process of population aging. Along with growth of the senior
population, elder abuse is also increasing rapidly. The average life expectancy in
Bangladesh has shot up from 46 years in 1960 to 73 years in 2017 and it is predicted
to keep on soaring to 85 years by 2100. Elderly population has increased from 2.2
million in 1950 to about 11.3 million in 2016 and projected to exceed 54 million in
2061. Bangladesh will have 65.1 million elder populations in 2085. (Source:
Statistics of U. S. Census Bureau, International Database and Bangladesh Bureau of
Statistics - Population Projection of Bangladesh). Increasing elderly population is a
significant contributory factor for escalating elder abuse. Elder abuse is growing into
a national crisis. There has been quick destruction of norms and values in the society
along with the demographic transformation. De facto lack of awareness, legislation
and enforcement of law; elder abuses have been growing in every level of society.
Elder abuse is a "silent condition", as no one knows exactly how many of our nation's
elderly are being exploited, neglected or abused. Evidence suggests that there are
thousands of elderly people being harmed every day, but no official statistics exist.
It has been remaining as a private matter, hidden from public view. In Bangladesh,
no one wants to talk about it. Elderly people are reluctant to speak about the
mistreatment of their own family members. They feel embarrassed to blame for
neglect or deprivation of care from own family. Even if family abusers commit
physical torture: e.g. hitting, pushing, kicking, etc., elder victims are unwilling to
accuse against their loved ones. There are many reasons for hiding about the
mistreatment of their own family members, such as fear of retaliation or aggravated

8
punishment, unwilling to see their loved ones get into trouble; being mentally
incapable and feeling ashamed or embarrassed.

In Bangladesh, neither government nor any other agency tried to encourage victims
of elder abuse to be "silence breakers" and unveil the shocking case studies. Crimes
committed against the elderly are increasingly growing to be a matter of concern.
The "Dirty Little Secret" of Elder Abuse is emerging into a National Crisis.
Nevertheless, too little is being done so far to address the problem.

Mistreatment of older people - referred to as elder abuse. According to WHO, "elder

abuse is a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any
relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to
an older person". Elder abuse can take various forms such as neglect, financial,
physical, psychological and sexual.

Neglect is deprivation of a person from proper medical treatment, food, heat,

clothing or comfort or essential medication and needed services. The deprivation
may be intentional (active neglect) or happen out of lack of knowledge or resources
(passive neglect). In Bangladesh dependent parents receive mistreatment by their
adult children or daughter in laws and suffer from psychological abuse: e.g.
humiliating a person. It may take verbal forms such as yelling, hissing, constantly
criticizing, blaming, or non-verbal forms such as ignoring, avoiding or withdrawing
friendliness. Family abuser also commits physical torture: e.g. hitting, punching,
slapping, pushing, kicking etc.
Elder abuse and neglect are now a common and burning issue and it is increasing
day by day. In Bangladesh it has been recognized as a growing problem. In our
country abuse and negligence is a prime and hidden problem. Studies related to

9
abuse and neglect in Bangladesh are not common. Seldom are some studies found
on their life, poverty, economic condition, health supporete. But their socio-
economic and psychological aspect is concerning. Now some research about elder
abuse and neglect are conducted by some researchers and those are helpful to know
the intensity of the abuse and negligence. Some of the research related to the issues
are given below.
A research article entitled Elderly Abuse: Causes and Determinants in Rural
Naogaon District of Bangladesh was conducted by K M Mustafizur Rahman, Md.
Ismail Tareque, Ahmed Mohammad Munsur and Md. Mostafizur Rahman (2010).
This study is based on the data collected from 7 villages of rural areas under Naogaon
district, from all the unions of the Thana, a Union (9 Number Tintulia Union
Parishad) was randomly selected and from this union 7 villages were selected by
using probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling. In order to perform the above
task, first the authors made a pilot survey and collected voter list from Union
Parishad and then identified seven villages out of 34 villages and collected the
information of 743 elderly persons using Lahiri's method of PPS sampling. All the
elderly (743 elderly) persons aged 60+ years were interviewed during September 6
to September 16, 2007. Finally, a multivariate technique named logistic regression
analysis is used for determining factors that are more influential for the abuse of the
elderly population.

This article shows that 73 percent of study respondents come from the 60-64 years
and 70+ years aged population. Highest percentage of the older male (41.2%) was
in the age group 70 years and above whereas most of the older females (43.1%) were
in the age group 60-64 years. There was a strong cross-gender variation in education.
The largest percent with no education was in females (91.0%) and the corresponding
percentage for male was only 44.5%. Most of the male elderly (44.5%) were engaged

10
in agricultural work whereas 54.7% of the female elderly were work as housewives.
In poor rural Bangladesh most of the elderly (53.6%) said that their family's monthly
income was below Tk. 3000. The percent of the respondents whose family's monthly
income in between Tk. 3000-5999 were 25.2% and 21.3% respondent's family's
monthly income was Tk. 6000 and above. The largest percentage of the elderly
resides with married children. Women (57.6%) are more likely than men (27.9%) to
be living with married children whereas most of the male elderly (54.5%) were living
with spouses (themselves).

It was also focused that the elderly population are not only affected by one types of
abuse but also by two or more types. The percentage of mentally abused elderly was
very high which was 76.7% for both sex and it is for male 78.7% and 75.9% for
females. The percentage of mentally and economically abused elderly population
was also noticeable. The percentage of other types of abuse like physical,
economical, physical and mental, and physical, mental and economical remain quite
low.

Poverty is the most dominant single factor responsible for the elderly abuse, which
contained 21.3% for both sex and 24.6% and 19.9% for male and female
respectively. It was also observed that the combined effect of poverty, inability and
dependency were highly responsible for the elderly abuse, which contains 39.1% for
both sex, 36.1% for male and 40.4% for female.

The gap of the study is that it does not use multivariate tables and avoids the
graphical presentation to highlight data. It also does not specify the main method
and sampling and data collection techniques and that's unclear.

11
A Study on Quality of Life of Elderly Population in Bangladesh is a research
titled and that was conducted by Md Nuruzzaman Khan, Md Nazrul Islam Mondal,
Nazrul Hoque, Mohammad Shariful Islam, Md Shahiduzzaman (2014). A cross-
sectional study was conducted in three villages of Malonchi union in Pabna district,
Bangladesh from May 20-June 15, 2013. 250 elderly populations were interviewed
using structured questionnaires to collect information on socio-demographic
characteristics and morbidity patterns. The World Health Organization (WHO)
WHOQOL- BREF scale contains 26 questions related to physical, psychological,
social and environmental domain and was used to give assessment of QoL. Here
WHOQOL-BREF means World Health Organization Quality of Life- BREF and
QoL means Quality of life.

The study findings showed that among the total elderly population, 82 (32.80%)
were females and 168 (67.20%) were males. The results revealed that a vast majority
(79.60%) of the elderly population belong to the age 70 years (males 84.10%,
females 77.40%). Most of the elderly populations (81.20%) were still in formal
partnership and only 18.80% were currently partner-less (unmarried, divorced,
widowed, widower). Almost all (89.28%) male elderly were found to be the less than
half (47%; males 48.21%, females 45.12%) of the elderly populations live in the
joint families and more than half (53%; males 51.78%, females 54.88%) of the total
elderly populations live in the nuclear families. The average household size was
found to be 6.
About three-fifth (60.0%) of the total elderly were illiterate (males 57.70%, females
64.60%) and only 40% of the total elderly population were literate (males 42.30%.
females 35.40%). In case of cultivated lands, 56.40% respondents had <100
decimals land (males 54.20%, females 61.0%) and only 43.60% had >100 decimals
land (males 45.80%, females 39.0%). Majority of the elderly population (62.80%)

12
live in clay made houses (males 63.10%, females 62.20%) and 37.20% live in other
types of houses (males 36.90%, females 37.80%).

The study also focused that insomnia (39.20%) was found to be the most common
problem for both males (33.92%) and females (48.78%). The second common
problem of the elderly population was eye problem (37.60%) and female elderly
populations were more sufferers (39.03%) than that of males (36.90%). The third
and fourth common diseases of the elderly populations were arthritis (28%) and joint
pain (21.20%). Also, diabetes (16.80%), heart diseases (8.40%), high blood pressure
(5.20%), asthma (4.80%), waist/ back pain (6.4%), and ulcer (6.40%) are some other
common health problems.

The gap of the article is that it does not specify the objectives in a proper way. At
the same time, it does not use multivariate table and avoid the graphical presentation
to highlight data. But the overall situations of the findings are helpful to know about
the present situations of elderly people in Bangladesh.

A new study, supported by WHO and published in the Lancet Global Health, has
found that almost 16% of people aged 60 years and older were subjected to
psychological abuse (11.6%), financial abuse (6.8%), neglect (4.2%), physical abuse
(2.6%) or sexual abuse (0.9%). The research draws on the best available evidence
from 52 studies in 28 countries from different regions, including 12 low- and middle-
income countries.
Socio-Economic Status of Elderly of Bangladesh: A Statistical Analysis is a
Research title and that was conducted by M. Taj Uddin, Md.Nazrul Islam,
Md.Johurul Alam and Gias Uddin Baher (2010).

13
The study was based on data collected from three selected districts (Sylhet,
Mymensingh and Noakhali) of Bangladesh. A questionnaire was adopted and a pilot
survey was taken to make reliable and concise questionnaires. Personal interview
approach was followed for data collection from the field. The districts and areas
within the districts were selected purposely and a random sample was collected from
the selected areas of each district. Finally, a sample of 300 elderly people were
selected for an interview where 100 from each district. The data were analyzed by
SPSS. The findings showed that among the respondents 73.3% were male and 26.3%
were female. Among the three study sites with respect to level of education, about
30% of elderly were found educated up to S.S.C. where 8% of them found that they
were able to read only the religious books the Holy Quran, the Geta etc.

Among the 300-elderly people in the study sites 53.7, 33.3 and 13% of them were
living in joint, unitary and extended respectively. Most of the family (43.3%) had
the total number between three and five and only 16.7% of them had up to two
members. It was observed that respondents of these three study sites in respect of
level of looking after family among them 44% were found that still they are able to
supervise their family and in 45.3% cases sons of the elderly people lead or take care
of their family. A very few cases (2.3%) daughters take care of their family. It was
observed that among the three study sites 80% respondents had a number of sons not
more than three in the total sample where only 4% of the respondents were found
with having six or more. About 86% of respondents have a number of daughters not
more than three.
About 49% of the elderly were found with monthly income between 1000- 5000 taka
where only 10% were found with monthly income and expenditure around 1000
taka. Only 11% of the respondents had monthly income and expenditure more than
10000 taka. About 66% of them were inhabitants of tin shade houses followed by

14
21% in buildings and slightly more than 8% in semi- building. Approximately 93
and 84% of them had their own house and land respectively. Most of the respondents
(66%) had electricity facilities. Finally the paper recommended some strategies to
their betterment of life and these were to ensure the financial solvency of the elderly
people, proper regulations should be developed, employment opportunity should be
made for the elderly people according to their physical and mental fitness,
educational, qualification, needs and preferences, separate ward or unit in a hospital
or clinic need to establish and poor elderly people should be involved in the
development and implementation of programs and policies according to their
minimum needs.

The gap of the study is that it only focuses on the data analysis method but does not
clear the main method and it does not specify the objectives in the proper way. At
the same time, it does not use multivariate tables and avoids the graphical
presentation to highlight data. It uses only a univariate table.

Studies related to abuse and neglect in Bangladesh are not common. Seldom are
some studies found on their life, poverty, economic condition, health support etc.
But as their socio- economic and psychological aspect is concerned, we need to
know the intensity of the abuse and negligence and to put their planning and proper
perspective. That's why we studied the issue "Socio-economic condition and
elderly mistreatment: A study on rural elderly in Bangladesh".
This study intends to examine whether there is any relation between Socio-economic
condition and elderly mistreatment. And also, may be helpful for others related
research. Besides that, study results may draw the attention of lawyers, plan and
policymakers, social workers, NGO workers, human rights workers, different types
of relevant organizations and other interested readers. But the overall situations of

15
the findings are helpful to know about the present situations of elderly people in
Bangladesh.

1.5 Theoretical framework

The framework reveals the fact that lack of exchange relations within the family
leads to elderly women neglect. As age increases elderly women lost their power in
their family because of lack of working ability. The powerlessness leads to the
decrease in the contributing capacity of the elderly women. Physical contributions
from the part of elderly are deteriorating within the family and they are depending
on the family members for their day to day activities and economic needs. All the
above-mentioned factors result poor exchange relations in the family and which give
rise to elderly women abuse and neglect within the family. From this it is clear that
the contributions of elderly women in the exchange relations of the family lead to
the increasing mistreatment towards elderly by other members in the family. There
is interconnection between the contributions of elderly women and mistreatment
towards them in the family.

Lake of
Poor Powerless of
contributions Dependency Elderly
exchange the Elderly
of elderly of elderly women
relation in
women in women mistreat women
the family
family

16
1.6 Operational Definition

1.6.1 Elder people: In most gerontological literature, people above 60 years of age
are considered as 'old' and taken to be the 'elderly' segment of the population of a
country. The United Nations has also categorized the age segments as; between 60-
69 belong to 'young old', 70-79 'old' and 80+ are 'older' respectively (Mesbah, 2005).
In Bangladesh, most of the older people, particularly the poor, are not defined as old
according to chronological age. In general, older people are defined as "old"
according to physical characteristics and limitations that affect their ability to
function in daily life in both household and income generation work.
In this study a person belonging to the age of 60 years and above is regarded as
elderly people.

1.6.2 Socio-economic condition: Socioeconomic condition is an economic and

sociological combined total measure of a person's work experience and of an
individual's or family's economic and social position in relation to others, based on
income, education, and occupation (Wikipedia).
Socio-economic status is the social standing or class of an individual or group. In
this study it was measured as a combination of family pattern, social functioning,
education, income and occupation.
1.6.3 Mistreatment: Mistreatment arises when a behavior shows disrespect for the
dignity of others and unreasonably interferes with the learning process. Present study
considered mistreatment as physical punishment, sexual harassment, psychological
cruelty, or discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, or sexual
orientation.

In this study elderly mistreatment represents 'abuse or neglect'.

17
1.6.4 .Elder abuse: Elder abuse is a universal problem. It is not limited to any one
gender, religious, cultural, ethnic or income group. Elder abuse may occur in many
different settings, including private homes, residential care settings and hospitals.
Elder abuse can be defined as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action.
occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm
or distress to an older person". Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical,
psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse. It can also be the result of
intentional or unintentional neglect. It is the infliction of physical, emotional, or
psychological harm on an older adult. Elder abuse also can take the form of financial
exploitation or intentional or unintentional neglect of an older adult by the caregiver
(American Psychological Association).

1.6.5 Neglect: Negligence means deprivation of a person's food, heat, clothing or comfort
or essential medication and depriving a person of needed services to force certain kinds of
actions, financial and otherwise. The deprivation may be intentional (active neglect) or
happen out of lack of knowledge or resources (passive neglect). It can occur in the
residential care, hospital or in the Nursing home. Neglect or abuse to older people comes
mostly from people they know or have some type of relationship where there is a sense of
trust. They could be a family member, or a friend or a paid health worker or care giver. It
means refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or
protection for a vulnerable elder. (Mudiare, 2013).

18
 Chapter Two

2.1 Methodology of the of the study

2.2 Area of the study
2.3 Sampling
2.4 Source of data
2.5 Instrument of data collection
2.6 Ethical Considerations
2.7 Limitations of the research
2.8 Further scope of research

19
2.1 Methodology of the study: The present study is mainly an exploratory
social survey method.
2.2 Area of the study: The present study is conducted Hajigong, Chandpur.
2.3 Sampling and sample: A purposive sampling technique was used in the
present study. From the study area 20 (twenty) were selected purposively and they
were considered irrespectively of race, age, color, sex and culture.
2.4 Sources of data: Data is collected mainly from primary sources. The
interviewees (Rural elderly women) are the source of data.
2.5 Instrument of data collection: Interview schedule is used as the main
instrument for collecting data for the research. The schedule is developed with both
close-ended and open-ended questions and before preparing the final schedule, a
pre-test is conducted first. The interview schedule is in both Bangla and English.
2.6 Ethical Considerations
Ethical consideration has been maintained in collecting data from the respondents.
Respondents were assured that confidentiality regarding collected data was
maintained and the relevant data only needed for the study. Proper informed consent
was taken prior to the interview. The principle of respect for persons was strictly
followed.
2.7 Limitations of the research
Although there is much that remains to be done, we try to confront all types of
problems. As a young researcher we had faced many problems. Some of them we
could solve and some of them were not. Our sample size is not so large. We collect
data from 20 respondents. It is quite impossible to collect data unerringly. We can't
collect data from all over the district because of time and sufficient funds and
resources. It was impossible to cover the whole district and all classes of people. We
randomly select our data. Data collection from the respondents was a tough task for

20
us because most of the respondents could not reply properly. We have been feeling
embarrassed to ask client's some questions. They could not ensure their proper
information which was very important to our study.
Our respondents are not highly educated. So, they sometimes provide irrelevant
information. On the other hand, there are not enough books or journals related to this
research. We don't get enough information from any hinds of books or journals. We
found some related research about our topic. But that was not so rich and didn't cover
all our topics. Sometimes respondents don't give the real information because of
shyness or of their safety. Because of short time we don't analyze and interpreted the
data correctly.

2.8 Further scope of research

Though we have some limitations in our research, this research will also open some
further opportunities for further research regarding elderly people. Those are given
below-
● Research on indigenous people elderly people in Bangladesh.
● Research on Dalit elderly people in Bangladesh.
● Research on elderly prostitutes in Bangladesh.

21
 Chapter Three

3.1 Findings of this research

3.2 Recommendation
3.3 Conclusions and Policy Implications

22
3.1 Finding of this research
Elder women abuse and neglect are the potential outcomes of complex interactions
between a multiplicity of social, economic, health, social isolation, education,
environmental and possibly individual's personality characteristics.

Elderly women are a serious reality and it is the last step of the life cycle. None can
avoid this stage. At present global population situation in respect of age structure the
elderly 60+ is a growing segment (Rahman, Tareque & et al 2007). That neglect and
abuse of the elderly is a menacing problem and increasing being felt by many people
can hardly be defined of.

Data one:
Name; Najma Begum Age: 59

1) Socio-economic background of the participant;

Her name is Najma Begum and her education qualification is 8 th standard. She has
no source of income. Her four daughters are all married. She pays his own income.
Her husband was an expatriate when he was alive. Her husband left an estate of 15
shotok when he died. She currently owns that property.

2) The problem elderly widows face after their husband death;

When the husband was alive, the attitude of the people in the society was good. Later
it changed. After the death of her husband she is not suffering from any insecurity.
She has to do more work now than before, because she is now alone in his family.
After the death she had to follow social rules (like wearing white shari), in the

23
absence of her husband there was no difficulty in equitable distribution of her wealth.
She is able to fulfill her life needs fairly when needs something he buys by himself.

3) Who takes care of the elderly widow:

She lives alone. Her four daughters were married. Her daughter lives in the husband's
house. Her daughters watch as much as possible. She bears her medical expenses
herself. Sometimes her daughters also watch. When sick, she goes to the doctor
herself.
4) Changes in the family members behavior towards the widows;
There were no changes in the behavior of family members after her husband's death.
Her daughters were very young when her husband died. Her daughters were
devastated by her husband's death. They did not change the behavior of other
members of the in-laws. None of his opinions are ignored in his decision-making.
She does not suffer domestic violence. She does not suffer any neglect after the death
of her husband.

5) Supports that she get from the society:

She does not get any social support. Neighbour did not help her get her old age
allowance UP member helped her to get widow allowance. She is not given much
importance in social events, giving importance to those who do not want her.
Neighbors do not help in danger. There is no club for elderly women in her society
and socially no action is taken for an elderly person.

24
Data two:
Name: Majeda khatun Age: 63

1) Socio-economic background of the participant;

Her name is Majeda khatun, she does not study. Their source of income is her son.
Son runs CNG. There are four members in his family. Her family is one of the
breadwinners. The educational qualification of the earner is 7 th standard. Her
husband used to run riska while he was alive. He left no wealth for him. She does
not own any property. She lives in a joint family. The earner in his family is a CNG
driver.

2) Problems elderly widows face after their husband death;

When her husband was alive, the people of the society look well, but now they hate
him. After the death of her husband she suffers from insecurity. Her opinion was not
so important in the family when her husband was die after the death of her husband,
now she has to do a lot of work because her husband's death has reduced the number
of an earning person in the family. He gets the expected behavior from the family.
Her family considers her a burden but does not understand their behavior as a result
of her widowhood. As a widow, she had to follow the norms of the society. After
her husband died, her mother-in-law threw her out of the house. After the death of
her husband her mental condition was very bad. She is unable to meet his living
needs properly. If she fulfills one need, she cannot fulfill another. If she needs
anything, she asks his son or where she works.

3) Who takes care of the elderly widow;

She lives with her son because there is no one without her son. Her son sees his pros
and cons if he has money. Her medical expenses are borne by his son or he can work
25
and bear it himself. When sick, her son takes him to the doctor. If she is sick, he is
not given more importance than the family. She Can't go to the doctor on time due
to lack of money. None of his neighbors keep track of him. He can spend time with
his grandchildren.

4) Changes in the family members behavior towards the widows:

The use of family members did not change after the death of the husband but did
change when he died. Her son's behavior was good while the husband was alive, but
later changed. Her opinion is not valued in her family; she was not subjected to any
abuse in the family. Her son's wife is fairly well behaved. Her husband died so she
doesn't have to work much but she works outside for other people. She is not
neglected by his grandchildren. No pressure is applied to send him to an old-age
home.

5) Supports that she get from the society:

She receives support from his society sometimes annually. She gets a widow's
allowance. She got a widow allowance through UP member. She received help from
her neighbors in getting widow's allowance. Neighbors helped him recover from the
trauma by showing sympathy. She is not given importance in social events.
Neighbors do not help him in her danger. There is no club for the elderly in his
society. Socially no action is taken for the elderly. Her neighbors do not involve him
in any entrepreneurial activities.

Data Three:
Name: Habiba Age: 58
1) Socio-economic background of the participant:
26
Her name is Habiba and she is 58 years old. Her educational qualification is Class V. Her
source of income is his son. She has 5 members in her family. One of the earners in her
family is her son, Earning person of her family Educational qualification SSC. He cannot
teach his son due to poverty. Her daily expenses are met with the money her son works as
a mason. Her husband was a farmer while alive. Her husband left about 58 sotok of land.
She got a share of her husband's property; she lives in a joint family.

2) Problem elderly widows face after their husband death;

The attitude of the people of the society was good when husbands were alive and now it is
good. After the death of her husband she is not suffering from any insecurity. Her opinion
is much more important in the family than it was now when her husband was alive. He has
to work a little harder than before because she works in people's houses and runs the family.
From the family he gets used to his expectations. Family members do not consider him a
burden. Being a widow has forced her to follow social norms such as wearing a white
sharee. In the absence of her husband she did not have to face any problem of proper
utilization of wealth. After the death of her husband her condition was very bad. After the
death of her husband there was no change in behavior from her family members. She is
able to fulfill her living needs properly. When she needs something she want to her son and
the son does his best to provide it.

3) Who takes care of the elderly widow;

She lives with her son. Her child sees her advantages and disadvantages. Her son bears her
medical expenses. If she is sick, her child takes him to the doctor and No one creates
obstacles. When sick, his family members give him a little more importance than before.
Her son takes her to the doctor on time sometimes a little late because her son was a little
busy. He can bear the medical expenses. She is no longer in contact with his siblings.
Neighbors used to keep in touch when the boy couldn't earn. She can spend time with his
grandchildren.

4) Changes in the family members behavior towards the widows;

27
After her husband's death the behavior of her family members did not change as before.
After the death of her husband, her son's behavior changed. Her son was very young. Her
in-laws do not notice negative aspects in the behavior of other members. Her opinion is not
neglected in family decision making; she was not subjected to any violence in the family.
After the death of her husband, the behavior of the neighbors changed and they became
worried about her. Her son's wife's behavior was very good and there was no change after
the death of her husband she has to work a little more, she works outside to earn money.
She does not suffer any kind of neglect from his grandchildren. After her husband died, her
family members did not pressure her to send her to an old age home.

5) Supports that she get from the society;

Socially she used to get support now no more. She gets a widow's allowance. She was
getting widow allowance through UP member. She received help from neighbors to get the
old age allowance they informed her. Neighbors helped her recover from the trauma by
showing sympathy. She is given importance in social events. At her peril, the neighbors
help him solve the problem. There is no club for elderly in the society. No steps are taken
to entertain the elderly socially. Her neighbors do not involve her in entrepreneurial
activities.

28
Data Four:
Name: Johora. Age: 74

1) Socio-economic background of the participant;

She has no educational qualification. Her source of income is his two sons. Her
family members total 9, two brothers live separately. There are two earners in his
family. Earning person in his family Educational Qualification One is Class VIII and
another is Class VII. Her daily expenses are covered by his sons' earnings. While her
husband was alive, he worked in jute mills. Her husband left her 24% of the property
she lives with his two sons, but her sons live separately one day with one son and
another day with the other son. The occupations of the earning members of her
family are one farmer and another CNG driver.

2) Problem elderly widows face after their husband death;

People's behavior was good when her husband was alive now a lot has changed.
After her husband's death, she suffers from insecurity, but she doesn't want to reveal
it. When the husband was alive, her opinion was very important in the family, not
so much now she has to work much more than before she has to work in the house
of her two sons. Her son's wife is happy if he works but not happy if he does not
work. He does not get the expected behavior from her family. Family members
consider him a burden but don't tell him being a widow forced her to conform to
social norms such as being forced to wear a white sharee. In the absence of the
husband, no problem was faced in the proper utilization of the wealth.

After the death of her husband, her mental condition was very bad. After the death
of the husband there was a change in behavior from the family members as an earner

29
left their family. She is not able to meet the needs of living properly. When she needs
something, he asks her son for it.

3) Who takes care of the elderly widow;

She lives with her two sons. She eats and drinks with his two sons. Children do not
see her advantages and disadvantages. Her children are busy with his grandchildren.
Her medical expenses are borne by her sons, but not always. When she is sick no
one takes him to the doctor he goes to the doctor himself. Her sons do not care about
him when he is sick. Her children do not take her to the doctor on time; she cannot
afford his medical expenses properly. If he is sick, no brother, sister, relatives can
be with her. Neighbors do not keep track of her and do not offer any help.

4) Changes in the family members behavior towards the widows;

After the death of her husband, the behavior of the family members changed. After
the death of the husband, the behavior of the sons and daughters changed, they
became a little worried about their mother.
Her in-laws are not notable for any negative behavior among the other members. Her
opinion is ignored in family decision making. She was not subjected to any kind of
domestic violence. After the death of her husband, the behavior of the neighbors
changed, the neighbors became worried about her.
The behavior of son's wife has changed. Son's wife does not treat him well. After the
death of her husband, she has to do a little more housework. The wives of her two
sons forced him to work. He does not suffer any kind of neglect from his
grandchildren. Her family members do not apply pressure to send her to the old age
home, but their behavior shows it.
6) The support that she get from the society;

30
Socially he gets support. But it is very little. When the neighbors want, they give her
100 taka 50 taka. She was getting a widow allowance through UP member. She got
help from neighbors to get an old age allowance. Neighbors have helped him come
out of trauma sometimes with money and sometimes with comfort.
She is not given much importance in social events. Neighbor members sometimes
help him with money to solve his problems. There is no association for the elderly
in his society. No steps are taken to entertain the elderly in socially. Her neighbors
do not involve him in any entrepreneurial activities.

Overall findings:
1. To know the socio-economic background of the participants:
1) According to the first question, out of 20 elderly widows. 13 are uneducated and
7 are educated. Out of 7 people, almost all women have studied up to class 7/8 and
one has only passed SSC.
2) Almost all elderly widows have no source of income. However, 5 out of 20 older
widowed women receive their income from their husband's employment pension or
estate.
3) We have collected our data from the village and almost, if we review the members
in the family. It can be seen that there are 3, 4, 5, 6 people.
4) A review of the households of 20 elderly widows shows that almost all households
have disabled persons.
5) Among the children of 20 elderly Bidhan women, 9 sons and daughters are
illiterate and 11 sons and daughters are educated. Again, 6 out of 11 have educational
qualifications up to class 6/7/8 and 5 sons and daughters have studied in HSC.

31
6) Out of 20 elderly widow women, around 10 people work in the house for daily
expenses and 10 people provide for their children.
7) Out of 20 elderly widow women, the husbands of about 15 elderly women were
professionally engaged in agriculture, fish trade or daily wage work, and the
husbands of 5 were employed in government and private jobs.
8) The husband of an almost elderly widow left no real estate. However, 13 elderly
widow’s husbands have left 5/7 per cent for their heads and 7 have left about one or
two bighas of land.
9) Almost all elderly widows have no property. Their children have taken possession
of what they have.
10) Almost all of the 20 elderly widows received some portion of their husbands.
But all parts are now shared by children.
11) Almost all elderly widowed women's households are single households. 5 of
them live in a joint family and try to take their mother's words seriously.
12) The earning occupation of sons and daughters of all elderly widows is day labor
or agriculture. But some garment workers and 3 are in government jobs.

2. To know the problem elderly widows face after their husband's death:
How was the social views to the widow at present & how was it before becoming a
widow?
1)14 of them are positive as before, they have no difference after their husband's
death.
2) 6 of them, during her husband's alive, people's perspective was good but now is a
bit lower

3. Did the widow face any embarrassing situations after her husband's death?
1) 5 of them have faced embarrassing situations out of 20 respondents.

32
4. How important was her opinion in the family when her husband was alive &
what kind of changes she faces now & what are her expectations for the family?
- 4 of them opinion was considered with great importance when her husband was
alive & now it has turned into zero.
- 6 of them have importance in both situation (Causes as an woman they are already
vulnerable)
- 10 of them importance was in both situation

5. Does she have to do the domestic work more than before?

-12 out of 20 have to do more than before and 3 of them have to less than before.
- 5 of them are same as before

6. Do the family members behave well as expected?

- 3 of them are sometimes yes and sometimes not
- 9 of them are not get as expected
- 8 of them, as expected

7. Do the members of her family consider her a burden?

- 16 out of 20 family members don't consider them as a burden. But 4 of them think
as burden

8. What kinds of social norms does she have to follow as a widow? [ wearing
white sari, restrictions on going to the child's room/ wedding ceremony/
birthday etc.] Before becoming a widow?
- 4 of them have to wear white sharee
- 3 of them couldn't attend in wedding ceremony
- 13 of them haven't follow any ritual

33
9. Does she have to face any problem to use the wealth in the absence of her
husband?
- 11 out of 20 haven't to face any problems but 9 of them have to face problems like
distributing land or other property.

10. How was her mental condition after her husband's death?
- All of them were mentally depressed

11. Is there any change in the behavior of the family members?

- 14 of them have the change in the behavior of family member nut 16 of them have
no family problem (Most of them face this)

12. Can she fulfill the survival needs properly?

- 12 of them can, 8 of them can't fulfill

13. How does she express her needs & to whom?

- 5 of them fulfill their needs with her own income & do not express it to anyone.
(Husband's pension)
- 9 of them tell their daughter (as they feel more comfort with them)
- 6 of them tell to their son

14. To know the who take care of the elderly widow

According to the questions 1-9 out of 20 are staying with their sons and 2 out of 20
are stay with their daughter and the rest are stay alone.

34
According to the questions no 2-11 out of 20 get support from their children’s and 3
out of 20 get support sometimes and the rest do not get support from their children.

According to the questions 3-10 out of 20 get medical support from their sons and 3
out of 20 get support from their daughter and rest of them get support from their
relatives and other persons.

According to questions no 4-7 out of 20 are going to the hospital with their sons and
3 going with their neighbor and 6 with their daughter and rest going herself.

According to questions 5-5 out of 20 get much support and 10 are getting normal
support and the rest are getting less support from their children and others.

According to questions no 6-12 out 20 going the hospital in time and the rest of them
going to the hospital not in time.

According to the questions no 7-14 out of 20 are sustaining their treatment

expenditure and rest of them can't sustain treatment expenditure.

According to the questions no 8- out of 20 are getting there sister brothers and
relatives and rest of them can't.

According to the questions no 10-16 out of 20are get support from their neighbors
and rest if they aren't. 3.18 out of 20 have changed their behavior after the death of
their husband and the rest of them 5.6 out of 20 are abused by their family and rest
stay in mental stress.

35
According to the questions no 11-3 out of 20 are getting this opportunity and rest are
can't.

According to the questions no 12-3 out of 20 are face this situation but rest of them
are not. According to the questions no 13-12 out of 20 are spending their time with
their nephews and the rest of them can't spend time with their nephews.

15. To know the changes in the family member’s behavior towards the widow:
1. 13 out of 20 have changed behavior for their family members and the rest of them
aren't.
2. After their husband's death 10 out of 20 have changed behavior, gather their family
members and rest hasn't.
3. 18 out of 20 has change their behavior after the death of their husband and rest of
them hasn’t changed yet.
4. 13 out of 20 can't give their statement in the family matter and the rest of them
can give their opinion.
5. 6 out of 20 are abuse by their family and rest of stay in mental stress.
6. After their husband's death 3 out 20 neighbors change their behavior and the rest
of them aren't.
7. 16 out of 20 are abused by their son's wife and 4 out of 20 get proper behavior
from their son's wife.
8. After their husband's death 12 out of 20 work much household work before there
husband death and rest of them work normally after and before there husband death.
9. 5 out of 20 are abused by their nephews and others and the rest are not.
10. After their husband's death more than 4 out of 20 are getting pressure from their
family members to go to an old age home and the rest of them Aren't.

36
16. To know the support that they get from society:
Discussing Objective 5, we can see that 15 out of 20 elderly widows receive almost
all kinds of assistance. But 5 don't need help, their families always take care of them.
They get various social reliefs and various facilities.

1. About 14 of them get Old Widow Allowance and the remaining 6 do not. They
are not eligible as per government rules.
2. Union Parishad Chairman Member is helping Pratya to get widow's pension. Here
the neighbor did not help much. They get this allowance by paying 500 rupees per
month.
3. The elderly woman was emotionally broken after becoming a widow and was
comforted or reassured by her neighbors. So that they regain their morale. And in
various social functions. Elderly widows are seriously invited. And neighbors help
in times of danger.
4. Their neighbors support her after the death of her husband. They give her mental
support.
5. In the different types of occasion 5 out of 20 are abuse by the occasion guests.

3.2 Recommendations
An elderly women is an asset for any country. It is a distracted life, a life in which
the fundamental questions about the vocation, dignity and destiny of man are
forgotten. The third age is also the age of simplicity and contemplation. The
affective, moral and religious values embodied by older people are an indispensable
resource for fostering the harmony of society, of the family and of the individual and
they are abused and neglected. To reduce the abuse and neglect towards the older
persons in the study some policy recommendations are as follows.

37
❖ Financial solvency and fulfillment of their basic needs should be ensured
through old age allowance, inclusion of them with Vulnerable Group feeding
Program, employment opportunity, providing Ration Card and ensure proper
link with their kith and kin.
❖ Employment opportunities should be made for them according to their
physical and mental fitness, educational qualification, needs and preferences.
❖ Should be developed proper regulations to encourage their offspring so that
they could help their parents with their maximum efforts.
❖ To accompany older people, to approach them and enter into relation with
them. Encourage the family members to be cautious in financial related
demand for the older people.
❖ Proper laws should be formulated and implemented to use their own
properties that are authorized for them.
❖ To alleviate their abuse and neglect new laws should be formulated and
implemented the existence laws related to aging as well as National Policy on
Aging in proper way
❖ To reduce their abuse and neglect the government should establish old homes
in the district where the study was conducted.
❖ To ensure old age allowance for all the senior citizens in the study area.
Economic security, health and housing for older people should be
strengthened. Create strong relationships with the family members, relatives
and with the community.

38
3.3 Conclusions
Elderly women are the most common and universal reality and it is the last step of
life cycle and none can avoid this stage. It is occurring in all members of the
population and it is a continuous process and is an obligatory segment in human life.
The family traditionally was valued as the cradle of love where family needs
including those of the aged were met. Today, it is increasingly under attack and its
powers and significance being daily eroded in a society driven by materialism and
competition. This attack on the family institution means a decline in the value,
support and care of the elderly women, thereby leaving them prone to destitution
and abuse and they face diverse sorts of crises in their daily life and lead their life
with hardship. That neglect and abuse of the elderly is a menacing problem and
increasing being felt by many people can hardly be defined as it. Now elder women
abuse and neglect is a widespread issue in the world especially in countries like
Bangladesh. It is a common social scenario in the study area and for that to reduce
their abuse and neglect proper policies for the better aging population in the study
areas should be taken into consideration. At the same time, we should remember that
older people understand the superiority of "being" over "having". An elderly person
is an asset for any country. It is a distracted life, a life in which the fundamental
questions about the vocation, dignity and destiny of man are forgotten. The third age
is also the age of simplicity and contemplation. The affective, moral and religious
values embodied by older people are an indispensable resource for fostering the
harmony of society, of the family and of the individual and they are abused and
neglected. To reduce the abuse and neglect towards the older persons in the study
some policy implications are as follows:

39
❖ Financial solvency and fulfillment of their basic needs should be ensured
through old age allowance, inclusion of them with Vulnerable Group feeding
Program, employment opportunity, providing Ration Card and ensure proper
link with their kith and kin. Because from the above findings we can see that
approximately half of the total respondents are face mistreatment who have
no income and those who can't fulfill their basic needs;
❖ At the last stage of human being, people are retired from their job and they
sometimes are unable to work. So, employment opportunity should be made
for them according to their physical and mental fitness, educational
qualification, needs and preferences;
❖ From the above information it is clear that because of modernization joint
families are converted into single families and offspring of the elderly don't
help their parents properly. About half of the total respondents want familial
support to restrain their problem. So, it should be developed proper
regulations to encourage their offspring so that they could help their parents
with their maximum efforts;
❖ Most of the respondents provide their opinion that they face obstacles in terms
of income or spending. So, encourage the family members to be cautious in
financial related demand for the older people;
❖ To alleviate their abuse and neglect new laws should be formulated and
implemented the existence laws related to aging as well as National Policy on
Aging in proper way;
❖ Approximately 20% respondents prefer governmental support to overcome
their mistreatment situation. To reduce their abuse and neglect government
should established old home in the district where the study was conducted;
❖ Economic security, health and housing for older people should be
strengthened;

40
 ❖ Create strong relationship with the family members, relatives and with the
community people;
❖ Raising community awareness through effective and informative social
education campaigns can stimulate discussion, debate and engagement for the
prevention of elder abuse; and
❖ Government, non-government and community support should be increased to
the betterment of older people in the study area.
Finally, it can be said that older persons in the study area are abused and neglected
continuously and they pass their life with hardship. Now the time has come to begin
working towards an effective change in attitude towards older people and to restore
to them their rightful place in the human community and also to restore their valuable
existence.

41
 References
● World population prospects-2022 (UN)
● Population & housing Census (2022), Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Ministry of
Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka.
● American Psychological Association (2012) Available at
https://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/elder-abuse
● Ayres, M. M. W. A. (2001). Concept analysis: abuse of ageing caregivers by elderly care
recipients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2001, 35(3): 326-334, 35(3), 326-334.
● Banglapedia (2003), Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Vol.1, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh,
5 Old Secretariat Road, Nimtali, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
● Barikdar, A., Ahmed, T., & Lasker, S. P. (2016). The Situation of the Elderly in
Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics, 7(1), 27-36.
● Hossain Md. Islam & et.al (2006). The Elderly Care Services and their Current Situation
in Bangladesh: An Understanding from Theoretical Perspective available at
http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jms.2006.131.138&org-11
● Khan, N., Mondal, N. 1., Hoque, N., & Islam, M. S. (2014). A study on quality of life of
elderly population in Bangladesh. American Journal of Health Research, 2(4), 152- 157.
https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140204.18
● Mesbah-us-Saleheen (2005) Professor of Geography & Environment, Jahangirnagar
University. Ageing: A creeping problem for future society? Available at
http://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/07/06/d507061502122.htm
● Mudiare, E. P. U. (2013). Abuse of the Aged in Nigeria Elders Also Cry. International
Journal of Contemporary Research, 3(9), 79-87.
● Nath Chalise, H. (2017). Elderly abuse: A Neglected Issue in Developing Countries.
Jacobs Journal of Gerontology, 3(1), 14-18.
● Pillemer, K., Burnes, D., Riffin, C., & Lachs, M. S. (2016). Elder Abuse: Global Situation,
Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies. Gerontologist, 56(2), 194-205.
https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw004
● Rahman, A.S.M. Atiqur (1998). Two Case Study of Rural Older Person in Bangladesh,
Bangladesh Journal of Geriatrics, Vol.48, Bangladesh Association for the Aged and
Institute of geriatric medicine.
● Rahman, Masud Ibn, (2013), Elder Abuse and Neglect: Evidence from Bangladeshi
Older Women, Bangladesh Journal of Geriatrics, Vol.48, Bangladesh Association for the
Aged and Institute of geriatric medicine..
● Samad, Muhammad (2002) Participation of the Rural Poor in Government and NGO
Programs: A Comprehensive Study, Dhaka, Mowla Brothers.
● The daily sun, 2018 https://www.daily-sun.com/post/313058/2018/06/03/Escalating-
Elder-Abuse-in-Bangladesh
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● Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press.

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 Appendix

Research questions:

● What is the socio-economic background of the participants?

1. Educational Status?
2. Sources of the income?
3. Members of the family?
4. Numbers of the earning persons in the family?
5. Educational qualification of the earners?
6. What was the job of her husband?
7. How much property did her husband leave for them?
8. How much asset does she have at present?
9. Did she get any portion of her husband's property?
10. What kind of family is she living in now?
11. Occupation of the earning persons in her family?

● What are the problems elderly women face after their husband's death?
12. How were the social views to the widow at present & how was it before
becoming widow?
13. Did the widow face any embarrassing situations after her husband's death?
14. How important was her opinion in the family when her husband was alive &
what kind of changes she faces now & what are her expectations to the family?
15. Does she have to do the domestic work more than before?
16. Do the family members behave well as expected?
17. Do the members of her family consider her a burden?

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18. What kinds of social norms does she have to follow as a widow? [ wearing white
sari, restrictions on going to the child's room/ wedding ceremony/birthday etc.]
19. Does she have to face any problem to use the wealth in the absence of her
husband?
20. How was her mental condition after her husband's death?
21. Is there any change in the behavior of the family members?
22. Can she fulfill the survival needs properly?
23. How does she express her needs & to whom?

● Who take care of the elderly widow?

24. With whom does she live?
25. Do the children take care of her properly?
26. Who bears the expenses of her treatment?
27. Who brings her to the doctor when fell ill & does anyone make an obstacle to
that?
28. How much importance is given to her when she is sick?
29. Do the family members take her to the doctor on time?
30. Can they afford the medical expenses?
31. Does the widow get along with the siblings/relatives?
32. Do the neighbors keep track of her & what kind of help does she get from them?
33. Is there any caretaker to look after her?
34. Do the caretakers put any pressures on her?
35. Can she pass time with her grandchildren?

● Which changes in the family members' behavior towards the widows?

36. Which support do they get from society?
37. Is there any change in the family member's behavior?

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38. Is there any change in the children's behavior?
39. Is there any negative change among the family members of her husband's house?
40. Is her opinion ignored in the decision making of her family?
41. Did she face any kind of family violence?
42. What kind of changes has come in the behavior of the neighbors after the death
of her husband?
43. Has there been any change in the behavior of the son's wife?
44. Was the widow neglected by the grandchildren?
45. Did the family members put any pressure on her to send her to an elderly home?

● Which support do they get from society?

46. Does the widow get any social welfare support?
47. Does she get an old age allowance?
48. How did she get the old age allowance?
49. Did she get any help from neighbors to get an old age allowance & how did they
help?
50.. What kind of support the neighbors gave her to come out of the trauma?
51. Is proper importance given to her in any social events?
52. What kind of help do the neighbors favor for her to solve the problems?
53. Is there any social club for the elderly in her community?
54. Are there any facilities for the entertainment of the elderly?
55. Do her neighbors involve her in any entrepreneurial activities?

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