Choose A Developing Nation And Research Information About It

Choose A Developing Nation And Research Information About Its Aging

Choose a developing nation and research information about its aging population. What major issues do older adults face in this country? What are the age-specific social issues? What are some similarities and differences between this country and the U.S.? (150 words)

Take a look at the Family and Medical Leave Act policy ( /family-and-medical-leave/). With changing and diverse family arrangements, identify several specific examples that demonstrate how this policy is experiencing structural lag. (100 words)

Paper For Above instruction

The selected developing nation for this analysis is India, which is experiencing a significant demographic shift as its population ages at an unprecedented rate. Traditionally, Indian society has been characterized by strong family-based support systems where older adults rely heavily on their children and extended family for care. However, with rapid urbanization, economic development, and changing societal norms, older adults face numerous issues. Major challenges include inadequate pension systems, limited healthcare access, and social isolation, particularly in rural areas where healthcare infrastructure is lacking (Chakraborty & Nandi, 2019). Age-specific social issues include elder abuse, neglect, and lack of awareness about rights and healthcare.

Compared to the U.S., India’s aging population faces more severe socioeconomic disparities, weaker healthcare infrastructure, and limited social security measures (Kumar & Saini, 2020). While the U.S. has well-established retirement and healthcare systems, India’s infrastructure is still developing, creating disparities in elder care. Privacy, independent living, and access to welfare services are societal issues both countries share but differ significantly in scope and response. India struggles with institutional support for elders, whereas in the U.S., government programs like Social Security and Medicare address some needs, although gaps remain (National Academy of Sciences, 2018).

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was enacted in the U.S. to protect workers’ rights to leave for family and medical reasons. However, evolving family configurations such as single-parent families, same-sex couples, and multigenerational households reveal structural lag in FMLA's scope. For example, the act does not explicitly cover leave for parental caregiving for non-traditional families or for elder care responsibilities across diverse household types, leaving many employees without protections (U.S. Department of Labor, 2020). As family structures become more diverse, the policy’s inability to adapt reflects its structural lag, limiting support for modern familial arrangements.

References

  • Chakraborty, S., & Nandi, S. (2019). Aging and social security in India: Challenges and prospects. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 33(2), 123-139.
  • Kumar, R., & Saini, M. (2020). Healthcare infrastructure and elderly care in India: An overview. Journal of Health Management, 22(3), 456-470.
  • National Academy of Sciences. (2018). The future of aging in America. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
  • U.S. Department of Labor. (2020). Fact sheet: Family and Medical Leave Act. Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla

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