AICBEM-AICMSE 2020 JANUARY (OXFORD)| SHEEBA KHALID | 132 ISBN: 978-1-913016-25-8 (Online) © 2020 The Author | AICBEM-AICMSE 2020 © 2020 FLE Learning 26-DV06-8172 AGEING: BURDEN OR CHALLENGE: A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY INDIA (KOLKATA) DR. SHEEBA KHALID 1 ABSTRACT In the era of globalization ageing is a vital social problem like other problems in India. Previously, it was not at all a problem, as the social structure was integrated because of bond, tie or kinship system, all members of the society could achieve sufficient infrastructure for their livelihood. But after 17th century or onwards, individualism brought various types of facilities for the people. But at the same time, it brought the deprivation of the family members, and its effect was high or reached to the peak as the globalization started. Because of globalization social structure was rather fragmented and the family, which is the basic unit of all society realized disintegration in long scale. Keyword: Ageing, India, Care, Family, Muslims INTRODUCTION In the era of globalization ageing is a vital social problem like other problems in India. Previously, it was not at all a problem, as the social structure was integrated because of bond, tie or kinship system, all members of the society could achieve sufficient infrastructure for their livelihood. But after 17th century or onwards, individualism brought various types of facilities for the people. But at the same time, it brought the deprivation of the family members, and its effect was high or reached to the peak as the globalization started. Because of globalization social structure was rather fragmented and the family, which is the basic unit of all society realized disintegration in long scale. This disintegration was followed by breakdown of joint family system and introduction of nuclear family system. Though in some religions the structure was little bit different, this nuclear family further started to shift their characteristics, as individualism is much importance than ever. This individualization created a new kind of consciousness which is detrimental to all societies. The feature of individualism initiates self sufficiency in society. So here lies the problem of ageing. Among other things industrialization brought some kind of progress in every field especially in the field of medical technology. The advancement of medical technology raised the life span of population in all societies. This increased longevity of the population requires sufficient assistance from family, state and other sources. But scenario is different in different state or country, so ageing is a great problem in present societies. Considering the acute problem of the aged population, the present researchers tried to find out some sort of new awareness. At present there is a tendency to avoid and discard the aged in many ways and the elderly population is facing various socio-psychological problems. Realizing this truth this study attempts to search the various socio-psychological problems of the elderly people and also to suggest some ways to improve their quality of life. OBJECTIVES The study has been conducted, for evaluating the life of the elderly people living within families in Kolkata India to find out the problems and views regarding their day to day life. The analysis of the physical, psychological and social problems of the aged, enabled the researcher to 1 Dr. Sheeba Khalid, Assistant Professor, The Neotia University, India, Department of Legal Studies, Kolkata India, sheeba.khalid@tnu.in