Introduction to Special Issue of Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology on Aging and the Middle East
Year: 2009
Type: editorial
Abstract: This special issue of the Journal grew out of a session on aging in the Middle East at the annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) in 2006.There has been a growing interest on the part of GSA members about aging outside of the United States and we wanted to contribute to this developing interest by offering a session on the topic focusing on aging persons from the Middle East.This issue contains papers based on presentations at that session along with other papers that have been added to provide a broader perspective on the topic.Why should the Middle East be considered an important area of interest in the field of cross cultural gerontology?The Middle East is a region of the world that is in a state of flux in regard to the age distribution of its residents.A recent article on aging in Arab countries reports that "…several Arab countries already are 'aged,' and population aging in the majority of Arab countries is imminent."(Yount and Sibai 2009).Similar conclusions have been reached about other countries in the region, including Iran (Ozra 2007) and Israel (Meyers 2001).Age structure changes in the countries of this region are accompanied by other significant transformations such as greater urbanization, changes in patterns of fertility, and changes in family structure including living arrangements and migration within the region for economic, political and other reasons.Other larger economic and social changes also contribute to the reshaping of the region at both the macro and micro levels.These broad changes affect and are affected by the various cultures of the peoples in the region.We use the world "culture" when referring to the intersection of religious and ethnic norms and values.These broad changes in the countries of the Middle East do not affect each older citizen in the same way.Each county has its own policies regarding social and health programs,
Authors: Allen Glicksman, May Jawad Aydin
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W2092463836