Exploring the Role of Socio-Demographic Characteristics on Gendered Social Exclusion: Empirical Evidence from Older Adults in Pakistan

• Published in: Social indicators research Vol. 169; no. 3; pp. 847 - 862
• Main Authors: Al-Rashid, Muhammad Ahmad, Nadeem, Muhammad, Campisi, Tiziana, Ahmad, Iftikhar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Age differences; Aging (Individuals); Cultural Context; Demography; Disproportionate Representation; Employment; Females; Gender; Homemakers; Households; Human Geography; Income; Marginality; Microeconomics; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Older men; Older people; Older women; Original Research; Public Health; Quality of Life Research; Social exclusion; Social Isolation; Social Sciences; Sociocultural factors; Sociodemographics; Socioeconomic factors; Sociology; Stereotypes; Stigma; Women; Social exclusion; Pakistan; Gender; Socio-demographic; Older adults
• ISSN: 0303-8300; 1573-0921
• DOI: 10.1007/s11205-023-03184-9

Beyond the concerns associated with marginalised groups’ underrepresentation, we posited that socio-demographic aspects and associated stigma provoke gendered social exclusion among older adults. Although these linkages have been frequently acknowledged, concrete evidence remains complicated. In a sample of 384 older adults from various administrative zones of the Lahore metropolitan, we examined that gendered social exclusion is typically connected with socio-demographic stereotypes. Statistics revealed that 72.3% of older adults reported social exclusion. Homemakers and non-workers were more prone to experience social exclusion than employed respondents. Findings further discovered that the social exclusion rates were more significant among older women (93.1%) than older men (47.5%). Among older women, those involved in some employment, having a personal income, living in higher-income households and joint families with their children or peers, and having access to a private car were less possibly socially excluded. The substantial gender aspect of social exclusion appears to be provoked by a gender-based socio-cultural context, limiting older women’s participation in daily socio-economic pursuits. Finally, possible consequences of increased social exclusion among older women and strategies to cater to this emerging issue are discussed.