Respect for the Elderly in Preindustrial Societies as Related to Their Activity

Here we explore cross-culturally respect for the elderly in relation to theories of disengagement and activity. We assume that respect is related to the social value of the elderly's activities and the structural characteristics of a society which affect the availability of valued activities. We coded data from the Human Relations Area Files concerning respect for the elderly and socially valued activities in 135 preindustrial societies. Precoded societal factors of family organization, religion and slavery were used as control variables. Cross-tabulation between the five traits revealed a statistically significant association between respect for the elderly and their activities. This association remained significant in the presence of independent family organiza slavery, but became spurious in the presence of extended family organization, monotheism, and slavery.