Turkey is changing towards a “greying” societal structure!

Sociologist Dr. Berat Dağ stated that the increase in the elderly population in Turkey cannot be evaluated solely as a demographic change, and that social institutions, from family to economy, from health to social security, must prepare for this transformation. Highlighting that viewing old age as a period when productivity ends feeds age discrimination, Dr. Dağ said, “The main goal here is not only to extend life expectancy, but for the extended life to be lived in a healthy, independent, and socially connected manner.” 

Dr. Berat Dağ from Üsküdar University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, evaluated the effects of the increasing elderly population in Turkey on the social structure, the transformation in intergenerational relations, and the social policies needed for active aging.

Turkey is changing towards a “greying” societal structure

Dr. Berat Dağ stated that the increasing share of elderly individuals in Turkey's population also affects social institutions, saying, “The decrease in infant mortality and the extension of average life expectancy lead to societies gradually greying. As part of this, the increasing population of elderly individuals in Turkey indicates that the country is changing within the context of a greying societal structure.”

Emphasizing that this process cannot be approached solely through changes in the population’s age distribution, Dağ said, “Therefore, it is problematic to view the current situation solely as a demographic change. Now, institutions of family, economy, politics, health, social security, and mentality must also begin to change within the framework of the needs of the elderly.”

Longer life simultaneously increases care responsibilities and opportunities for solidarity

Dr. Berat Dağ stated that the extension of average life expectancy also transforms family relationships and intergenerational interaction, saying, “The extension of life expectancy enables different generations to live together and interact for longer periods.”

Dağ, stating that the position of elderly individuals within the family can differ according to social and cultural conditions, continued his assessment as follows:
“In Eastern societies, the elderly hold a more decisive position within the family, while in Western societies, this position has weakened due to retirement and economic dependence. Nevertheless, considering both the historical resilience shown and the increasing service opportunities, there is a possibility that elderly individuals today continue to contribute economically, emotionally, and mentally within the family. Therefore, longer life simultaneously increases care responsibilities and opportunities for intergenerational solidarity.”

Viewing elderly individuals solely as “dependent population” is an incomplete approach

Highlighting that the increase in the elderly population can create new needs in terms of retirement, social security, and health services, Dr. Berat Dağ stated that this picture should not be interpreted solely through financial burden.

Dr. Dağ said, “The increasing population of elderly individuals can increase the financial burden on retirement and social security systems, as well as raise the demand for health services. However, viewing the elderly solely as a dependent population is an incomplete approach.”

Dağ stated that changing health and living conditions allow individuals to maintain their productivity for a longer period, saying, “Changes in health and living conditions allow individuals to remain productive for a much longer period. Therefore, it is possible for elderly individuals in the future to develop new roles suitable for their changing capacities, instead of completely withdrawing from social life.”

Support mechanisms outside the family gain importance in elder care

Dr. Berat Dağ stated that with the widespread adoption of nuclear families, urbanization, and the increase in living alone, the traditional care model is also changing, saying, “The increase in nuclear families, urbanization, and the intensity of living alone makes it difficult to continue elder care solely within the family. Consequently, the aging process is increasingly becoming a matter of social policy.”

Emphasizing that care responsibility should be handled within a broader institutional framework, Dağ said:

“When it is realized that the aging process is shaped within historical, economic, social, and environmental conditions, it should then be expected that the state, local governments, and non-governmental organizations will take on more holistic responsibility in the areas of care, health, and social support.”

Perception of “period when productivity ends” fuels age discrimination

Pointing out that generalizing assumptions about old age can strengthen social exclusion, Dr. Berat Dağ said, “Viewing old age as the period when productivity ends can be seen as an important form of age discrimination. Approaches that suggest removing elderly individuals from society based solely on quantitative functional criteria have normalized this discrimination for a long time.”

Dağ stated that the meaning of old age can differ among societies, expressing that some approaches negatively stigmatize elderly individuals, while others emphasize wisdom and experience.

Underlining that elderly individuals should not be evaluated as a homogeneous group, Dr. Dağ warned, “In that context, evaluating elderly individuals as an absolutely uniform, dependent, and unproductive group will strengthen the risks of marginalization in societies.”

Goal: To increase healthy and socially connected years

Stating that policies for active aging should not only focus on life expectancy, Dr. Berat Dağ said, “From the perspective of active aging, the main goal here is not only to extend life expectancy, but for the extended life to be lived in a healthy, independent, and socially connected manner.”

Dr. Dağ concluded his remarks by stating that the strengthening of health and care services and the social participation of elderly individuals should be addressed together:

“In this direction, further institutionalization of health and care services is important. Furthermore, it is also very important to produce policies that strengthen the position of elderly individuals in social institutions such as family, education, economy, politics, and religion. In short, it is essential to consider a holistic approach that addresses these two processes together in order for Turkey to be prepared for its aging societal structure.”