Open AccessA Cultural Framework of Care and Social Protection for Older People in India
Author(s) -
Vanessa Burholt,
R. Maruthakutti,
Carol Maddock
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
geropsych
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1662-971X
pISSN - 1662-9647
DOI - 10.1024/1662-9647/a000251
Subject(s) - livelihood , tamil , welfare , value (mathematics) , social protection , divergence (linguistics) , economic growth , sociology , socioeconomics , political science , development economics , economics , geography , philosophy , linguistics , archaeology , machine learning , computer science , agriculture , law
. This article applies a cultural political economy lens within a sustainable livelihood framework and examines how cultural norms and values as well as social protection amplify or attenuate livelihood shocks leading to care-home entry. We used framework analysis and higher-level interpretive analysis of data from interviews with 30 older care-home residents from three districts in Tamil Nadu, India, to understand the practices that allow the social welfare system to function alongside the beliefs and values legitimizing these practices. Results reveal a divergence between the value orientation of social-protection policy and cultural practices which constrains the choices available for care in later life and reinforces culturally constructed inequalities rather than protecting or remediating livelihood shocks and loss of assets.