Vol 23. Num 2. 2021. Article 5 - Ageing and Ageism - Myths and Realities in Selected Rural and Urban Areas of Bangladesh

This study attempts to examine the myths and realities concerning ageing and ageism by contrasting the situation in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Stereotypes about the elderly in Bangladesh are not always consistent with reality and the scenario of ageism can differ by demographic setting. In this study, a mixed method approach was followed, with qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on the latter. This study included adults aged above 60 years from two different areas. Dhaka city was the urban setting for the study and Barguna district was the rural setting. The sample included 340 observations, equally divided between the urban and the rural settings. The findings suggest that myths and realities concerning ageing and ageism operate differently in rural and urban areas, although they reveal some similarities. The study explores how elderly people who comprise a large portion of the country’s population are treated. It highlights disparities between traditional attitudes towards the elderly and the modern realities faced by contemporary society.