International Spotlight: Developing a Gerontological Social Policy Agenda for Turkey

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Arun O.

GERONTOLOGIST, vol.53, no.6, pp.891-897, 2013 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 53 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.1093/geront/gnt071
  • Journal Name: GERONTOLOGIST
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.891-897
  • Keywords: Gender, Education, Partnership status, Income, Health, Religion and ethnicity, Turkey, HEALTH, AMERICANS, ETHNICITY, GENDER
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

From 1960 to 2013, the population of Turkey increased almost threefold, with older adults aged 65 and older increasing almost sevenfold. In light of the demographic revolution in the age composition of world populations, we investigated the following research questions from the perspective of Turkish gerontologists: What are the conditions of older people based on sociological factors such as gender, partnership status, income, education, health, religion, and ethnicity? What should Turkey’s gerontological agenda contain for the short term, mid-term, and long term, particularly in view of the rapidly changing nature of political, social, and economic life in the country? By 2025, adults (aged 40–65) will make up the largest population group in Turkey’s history. It is time for Turkey to embrace this demographic gift and identify its own gerontological agenda to pave the way for social justice and social citizenship.

From 1960 to 2013, the population of Turkey increased almost threefold, with older adults aged 65 and older increasing almost sevenfold. In light of the demographic revolution in the age composition of world populations, we investigated the following research questions from the perspective of Turkish gerontologists: What are the conditions of older people based on sociological factors such as gender, partnership status, income, education, health, religion, and ethnicity? What should Turkeys gerontological agenda contain for the short term, mid-term, and long term, particularly in view of the rapidly changing nature of political, social, and economic life in the country? By 2025, adults (aged 4065) will make up the largest population group in Turkeys history. It is time for Turkey to embrace this demographic gift and identify its own gerontological agenda to pave the way for social justice and social citizenship.