Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T08:36:34.384Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Social representations of older adults [magget] in Dakar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 November 2013

ENGUERRAN MACIA ,
PRISCILLA DUBOZ ,
JOANN M. MONTEPARE  and
LAMINE GUEYE
ENGUERRAN MACIA*
Affiliation:
UMI 3189 Environnement, santé, sociétés (CNRS, Marseille, France; Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal; Université de Bamako, Mali; CNRST, Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso).
PRISCILLA DUBOZ
Affiliation:
UMI 3189 Environnement, santé, sociétés (CNRS, Marseille, France; Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal; Université de Bamako, Mali; CNRST, Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso).
JOANN M. MONTEPARE
Affiliation:
RoseMary B. Fuss Center for Research on Aging and Intergenerational Studies, Lasell College, Newton, Massachusetts, USA.
LAMINE GUEYE
Affiliation:
UMI 3189 Environnement, santé, sociétés (CNRS, Marseille, France; Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal; Université de Bamako, Mali; CNRST, Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso).
*
Address for correspondence:Enguerran Macia, Faculté de Médecine, de Pharmacie et d'Odontostomatologie, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), BP 5005, Dakar-Fann, Senegal. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The objectives of this study in Dakar were twofold: to determine whether the representations of older adults are mainly positive, neutral or negative in the Senegalese capital; and to analyse the emic notions on which these age representations are based. As a first step in understanding how older adults are represented in this contemporary urban African context, a methodology was selected that is both quantitative and qualitative, including closed and open-ended questions to a representative cross-section of the Dakar population aged 20 years and over (N=600). The results indicate that representations of older adults, while heterogeneous, were mainly positive in Dakar: 63.7 per cent reported positive representations of older adults. Conversely, 17.5 per cent believed that older adults were perceived negatively. Lastly, 18.8 per cent reported that they did not perceive positive or negative social views of older adults. Representations of older adults were based on three principal notions: the value of advanced age, social usefulness of older adults and family ties. These results are discussed in the context of Dakar modernity, in comparison to Western modernity. Dakar society appears to depart from modernisation theory, as the experiential wisdom of older adults is still valued (mainly through the importance of oral tradition) and the extended family is upheld (given the permanent economic crisis the country is experiencing).

Keywords

age representationsage attitudesmodernitysub-Saharan Africa
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 35 , Issue 2 , February 2015 , pp. 405 - 427
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) 2004. Le marché de l'emploi à Dakar. L'emploi, le chômage et les conditions d'activité dans l'agglomération de Dakar [The Labour Market in Dakar. Employment, Unemployment, and Activity Conditions in the Urban Area of Dakar]. Available online at http://www.ansd.sn/publications/rapports_enquetes_etudes/enquetes/Enquete123_Phase1.pdf [Accessed 8 February 2013].Google Scholar
Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) 2006. Résultats du troisième recensement général de la population et de l'habitat du Sénégal RGPHIII. Rapport National de Présentation [Results of the Third General Census of the Population and the Habitat of the Senegal]. Available online at http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSENEGALINFRENCH/Resources/461584-1175072268436/TROISIEMERECENSEMENTPOPULATIONETHABITATSENEGAL.pdf [Accessed 8 February 2013].Google Scholar
Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) 2007. Enquête de suivi de la pauvreté au Sénégal. ESPS 2005–2006. Rapport National [Follow-up study of poverty in Senegal]. Available online at http://www.ansd.sn/publications/rapports_enquetes_etudes/enquetes/Rapport_ESPS.pdf [Accessed 8 February 2013].Google Scholar
Antoine, P. 2007 a. Introduction. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 9–18.Google Scholar
Antoine, P. 2007 b. La place et l'activité des personnes âgées dans sept capitales Ouest Africaines [Status and activity of older adults in seven West African capitals]. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 31–62.Google Scholar
Attané, A. 2007. Choix matrimoniaux: le poids des générations. L'exemple du Burkina-Faso [Matrimonial choices: the weight of generations. The example of Burkina-Faso]. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 167–87.Google Scholar
Balandier, G. 1974. Anthropo-logiques [Anthropo-logics]. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris.Google Scholar
Bengtson, V., Dowd, J., Smith, D. and Inkeles, A. 1975. Modernisation, modernity, and perceptions of aging: a cross-cultural study. Journal of Gerontology, 30, 6, 688–95.Google Scholar
Boduroglu, A., Yoon, C., Luo, T. and Park, D. C. 2006. Age-related stereotypes: a comparison of American and Chinese cultures. Gerontology, 52, 5, 324–33.Google Scholar
Bologo, E. 2007. Transferts fonciers intergénérationnels et intrafamiliaux dans l'Ouest du Burkina-Faso: modalités et mutations [Intergenerational and intrafamilial land transfers in the West of Burkina-Faso: forms and mutations]. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 213–30.Google Scholar
Braithewaite, V. A. 1986. Old age stereotypes: reconciling contradictions. Journal of Gerontology, 41, 3, 353–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brewer, M. B., Dull, V. and Lui, L. 1981. Perceptions of the elderly: stereotypes as prototypes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 4, 656–70.Google Scholar
Caradec, V. 2001. Sociologie de la vieillesse et du vieillissement [Sociology of Old Age and Ageing]. Nathan, Paris.Google Scholar
Cowgill, D. O. and Holmes, L. D. 1972. Aging and Modernization. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York.Google Scholar
Demonsant, J.-L. 2007. Un système informel de retraite basé sur le prestige des notables. Etude de cas à Matam (Sénégal) [An informal system of pension based on the prestige of the notables. Case study in Matam (Senegal)]. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 121–42.Google Scholar
Devisch, R., Makoni, S. and Stroeken, K. 2002. African gerontology: critical models, future directions. In Makoni, S. and Stroeken, K. (eds), Ageing in Africa: Sociolinguistic and Anthropological Approaches. Ashgate, London, 277–84.Google Scholar
Evans-Pritchard, E. E. 1940. The Nuer: A Description of the Modes of Livelihood and Political Institutions of a Nilotic People. Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Ferreira, M. 1999. Building and advancing African gerontology. Southern African Journal of Gerontology, 8, 1, 1–3.Google Scholar
Gluth, S., Ebner, M. C. and Schmiedek, F. 2010. Attitudes toward younger and older adults: the German aging semantic differential. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 34, 2, 147–58.Google Scholar
Golaz, V. 2007. Vers une nouvelle définition des relations intergénérationnelles en milieu rural Gussi (Sud-Ouest du Kenya) [Toward a new definition of intergenerational relationships in Gussi rural area (South-West of Kenya)]. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 231–47.Google Scholar
Harris, L. and Associates, Inc. 1975. The Myth and Reality of Aging in America. National Council on the Aging, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Heckhausen, J., Dixon, R. A. and Baltes, P. B. 1989. Gains and losses in development throughout adulthood as perceived by different adult age groups. Developmental Psychology, 25, 1, 109–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hertrich, V. and Lesclingand, M. 2007. Formalisation des unions et contrôle intergénérationnel. Une étude de cas au Mali [Formalisation of unions and intergenerational control. A case study in Mali]. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 143–66.Google Scholar
Hummert, M. L. 1993. Age and typicality judgments of stereotypes of the elderly: perceptions of elderly vs. young adults. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 37, 3, 217–26.Google Scholar
Hummert, M. L. 1999. A social cognitive perspective on age stereotypes. In Hess, T. M. and Blanchard-Fields, F. (eds), Social Cognition and Aging. Academic Press, San Diego, California, 175–96.Google Scholar
Hummert, M. L., Garstka, T. A. and Shaner, J. L. 1997. Stereotyping of older adults: the role of target facial cues and perceiver characteristics. Psychology and Aging, 12, 1, 107–14.Google Scholar
Jodelet, D. 1989. Les représentations sociales [Social Representations]. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris.Google Scholar
Kite, M. and Johnson, B. T. 1988. Attitudes toward older and younger adults: a meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 3, 3, 233–44.Google Scholar
Kite, M. E., Stockdale, G. D., Whitley, B. E. Jr and Johnson, B. T. 2005. Attitudes toward older and younger adults: an updated meta-analysis. Journal of Social Issues, 61, 2, 241–66.Google Scholar
Kornadt, A. E. and Rothermund, K. 2011. Contexts of aging: assessing evaluative age stereotypes in different life domains. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 66B, 5, 547–56.Google Scholar
Levy, B. R. and Banaji, M. R. 2002. Implicit ageism. In Nelson, T. (ed.), Ageism: Stereotyping and Prejudice Against Older Persons. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 49–75.Google Scholar
Löckenhoff, C. E., De Fruyt, F., Terracciano, A., McCrae, R. R., De Bolle, M., Costa, P. T., Aguilar-Vafaie, A. E., Ahn, C. K., Ahn, H. N., Alcalay, L., Allik, J., Avdeyeva, T. V., Barbaranelli, C., Benet-Martinez, V., Blatny, M., Bratko, D., Cain, T. R., Crawford, J. T., Lima, M. P., Fickova, E., Gheorghiu, M., Halberstadt, J., Hrebickova, M., Jussim, L., Klinkosz, W., Knezevic, G., de Figueroa, N. L., Martin, T. A., Marusic, I., Mastor, K. A., Miramontez, D. R., Nakazato, K., Nansubuga, F., Pramila, V. S., Realo, A., Rolland, J. P., Rossier, J., Schmidt, V., Sekowski, A., Shakespeare-Finch, J., Shimonaka, Y., Simonetti, F., Siuta, J., Smith, P. B., Szmigielska, B., Wang, L., Yamaguchi, M. and Yik, M. 2009. Perceptions of aging across 26 cultures and their culture-level associates. Psychology and Aging, 24, 4, 941–54.Google Scholar
Lutsky, N. S. 1980. Attitudes toward old age and elderly persons. Annual Review of Gerontology, 1, 287–336.Google Scholar
Macia, E., Chapuis-Lucciani, N. and Boëtsch, G. 2007. Stéréotypes liés à l’âge, estime de soi et santé perçue [Age stereotypes, self-esteem, and self-rated health]. Sciences Sociales et Santé, 25, 3, 75–106.Google Scholar
Macia, E., Duboz, P. and Gueye, L. 2010. Les dimensions de la qualité de vie subjective à Dakar [The dimensions of subjective quality of life in Dakar]. Sciences Sociales et Santé, 28, 3, 41–73.Google Scholar
Macia, E., Lahmam, A., Baali, A., Boëtsch, G. and Chapuis-Lucciani, N. 2009. Perception of age stereotypes and self-perception of aging: a comparison of French and Moroccan populations. Journal of Cross-cultural Gerontology, 24, 4, 391–410.Google Scholar
Makoni, S. and Stroeken, K. 2002. Ageing in Africa: Sociolinguistic and Anthropological Approaches. Ashgate, London.Google Scholar
Mannoni, P. 1998. Les représentations sociales [Social Representations]. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris.Google Scholar
Marie, A. 1997. Du sujet communautaire au sujet individuel. Une lecture anthropologique de la réalité africaine contemporaine [From the community subject to the individual subject. An anthropological analysis of the contemporary African reality]. In Marie, A. (ed.), L'Afrique des individus [The Africa of Individuals]. Karthala, Paris, 53–110.Google Scholar
Mason, J. 1997. Qualitative Researching. Sage, London.Google Scholar
Mauss, M. 1950 a [1924]. Rapports réels et pratiques de la psychologie et de la sociologie [Real and practical relationhips between psychology and sociology]. In Mauss, M. (ed.), Sociologie et anthropologie [Sociology and Anthropology]. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris, 280–310.Google Scholar
Mauss, M. 1950 b [1924]. Essai sur le don – Forme et raison de l’échange dans les sociétés archaïques [The gift: forms and functions of exchange in archaic societies]. In Mauss, M. (ed.), Sociologie et anthropologie [Sociology and Anthropology]. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris, 143–279.Google Scholar
Minichiello, V., Browne, J. and Kendig, H. 2000. Perceptions and consequences of ageism: views of older people. Ageing & Society, 20, 3, 253–78.Google Scholar
Moscovici, S. 1961. La psychanalyse, son image, son public [Psychoanalysis, its Image and its Public]. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris.Google Scholar
Ndiaye, S. and Ayad, M. 2006. Enquête démographique et de santé – Sénégal 2005 [Demographic and Health Survey – Senegal 2005]. Centre de Recherche pour le Développement Humain (Sénégal) et ORC Macro, Calverton (USA). Available online at http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FR177/FR177.pdf [Accessed 8 February 2013].Google Scholar
Nelson, T. D. 2002. Ageism: Stereotyping and Prejudice Against Older Adults. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Nicolson, P. and Anderson, P. 2003. Quality of life, distress and self-esteem: a focus group study of people with chronic bronchitis. British Journal of Health Psychology, 8, 3, 251–70.Google Scholar
Palmore, E. 2002. Ageism in Canada and the United States. Journal of Cross-cultural Gerontology, 19, 1, 41–6.Google Scholar
Quéniart, A. and Charpentier, M. 2012. Older women and their representations of old age: a qualitative analysis. Ageing & Society, 32, 6, 983–1007.Google Scholar
Rupp, D. E., Vodanovich, S. J. and Credé, M. 2005. The multidimensional nature of ageism: construct validity and group differences. Journal of Social Psychology, 145, 3, 335–62.Google Scholar
Ryan, E. B., Giles, H., Bartolucci, G. and Henwood, K. 1986. Psycholinguistic and social psychological components of communication by and with the elderly. Language and Communication, 6, 1-2, 1–24.Google Scholar
Sagner, A. 2002. Identity management and old age construction Xhosa-speakers in urban South Africa: complaint discourse revisited. In Makoni, S. and Stroeken, K. (eds), Ageing in Africa: Sociolinguistic and Anthropological Approaches. Ashgate, London, 43–66.Google Scholar
Thane, P. 2005. A History of Old Age. Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Tuckman, J. and Lorge, I. 1953. Attitudes toward old people. Journal of Social Psychology, 37, 249–60.Google Scholar
Uotinen, V. 2005. I'm as old as I feel. Subjective age in Finnish adults. Dissertation, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.Google Scholar
van der Geest, S. 2002. Respect and reciprocity: care of elderly people in rural Ghana. Journal of Cross-cultural Gerontology, 17, 1, 3–31.Google Scholar
van der Geest, S. 2004. ‘They don't come to listen’: the experience of loneliness among older people in Kwahu, Ghanaural Ghana. Journal of Cross-cultural Gerontology, 19, 2, 77–96.Google Scholar
Vandermeersch, C. and Kouevidjin, E. 2007. La situation des personnes âgées de 55 ans et plus en milieu rural ivoirien et sénégalais [The situation of adults aged 55 and older in rural Ivorian and Senegalese areas]. In Antoine, P. (ed.), Les relations intergénérationnelles en Afrique. Approche plurielle [Intergenerational Relationships in Africa. A Global Approach]. Ceped, Paris, 63–92.Google Scholar
Werner, J.-F. 1997. Itinéraires individuels à la marge. Etudes de cas sénégalais [Life history of outsiders. Case study in Senegal]. In Marie, A. (ed.), L'Afrique des individus [The Africa of Individuals]. Karthala, Paris, 367–403.Google Scholar
Zebrowitz, L. A., Montepare, J. M. and Lee, H. K. 1993. ‘They all don't look alike’: individuated impressions of other racial groups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 1, 85–101.Google Scholar