Segregation of the female elderly population in Gozo : myth or reality?

Abstract

In this dissertation, the main issues will be focussing on the female elderly population in Gozo. The choice of this subject came to mind from the assumption that today's ever fast changing world has less time for it's elderly. Especially females that still tend to be more disadvantaged than males for many reasons still in the 21st century. Also due to the fact that statistics show that females are today living longer than males. The data for this dissertation was obtained through interviews. It is argued that elderly females in Gozo have very little choice of places to meet or activities organised for them. For this reason in the Interviews the elderly were asked in which activities they take part within their village. Also, they were asked how and with whom they hade closest relations with and also if they felt that they would be better off in a Home for the elderly. These were asked in order to determine if they felt segregated or not enough to leave their own home to enter an Institutional Home for the elderly. The study concludes with the modification of the hypothesis. That is, the elderly females were found not to be segregated in certain respects. When it comes to relations with neighbours and relatives such as spouse and children, they were found to be segregated however, within the community, elderly females interviewed were found to be segregated as they themselves felt left out in the community.