School-going children and working adults have a positive attitude toward the elderly, a study has discovered.
The younger generation does not believe that older people are boring or a burden on their families, the study revealed. The elderly, on the other hand, get the most happiness from visits by their offspring.
The findings by researcher Kanchana Tangchontip of the Institute for Population and Social Research at Mahidol University, were presented at the "Value of the Elderly from the Eyes of Thai Society" seminar.
The study, involving 614 respondents in the school-going and working-age groups in Bangkok and nearby provinces, showed that they believe the experience of old people is valuable, especially where the value of money is concerned.
The study also found that students in a higher socio-economic strata are more likely to hold positive attitudes toward elderly, but there is no similar relationship among the working-age population.
Another study entitled "The Economic Value of Thai Elderly", presented by Kusol Soonthorndha, also from the institute, showed that more elderly people were working because they were poor and did not want to be a burden on their children.
At the same time they want to lower the demands on public finances, reduce the age-dependency ratio and raise their dignity.
The study found factors that influenced their continued participation in the work force are lack of education, no pensions, children, debt, demands of daily living and chronic illness.
In a bid to reduce the elderly-dependency ratio and burden on the government from elderly welfare, a study conducted by Pramote Prasart-kul has suggested Thailand redefine the minimum age of people called "elderly" from 60 to 65.
"If this new definition is used, the ratio of elderly in 2010 will be 8 per cent of the total population, increasing to 11 per cent within the next 10 years.
However, Kritaya Archavanitkul, deputy director of the institute, said changing the minimum age for people to be called "elderly" would affect many who receive pensions and other social welfare from the government.