Marginalisation and Rural Elderly: A Shona Case Study

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Periodical article

Title:	Marginalisation and Rural Elderly: A Shona Case Study
Author:	Hampson, Joseph
Year:	1990
Periodical:	Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080)
Volume:	5
Issue:	2
Pages:	5-23
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Zimbabwe Southern Africa
Subjects:	elderly Shona care of the aged Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) sociology Shona (African people) Aged Old age
Abstract:	After describing the general history of Shona society and economy, the author specifically discusses the status and position of the elderly. He offers an inductive approach to the socioeconomic status of the rural elderly, whose position can best be understood as one of marginalization in terms of pauperization, social and cultural exclusion, and low planning priority. The rural elderly in Zimbabwe are less affected by the forces of social and cultural exclusion and more affected by pauperization. The welfare model in practice is strongly residual, and the small public assistance programme is means tested and almost unknown to most rural people. Such a minimalist approach means that there is no meaningful national minimum level of support, and no social security 'safety net'. Abstr., bibliogr., notes.