This paper delves into the nuanced meanings of 'self-reliance' and 'independence' perceived by 'early old age' (60-69 years old) women in Thailand. It provides timely insights into how the unique socio-cultural landscape of a Global South nation, experiencing a recent surge in its ageing population, influences women's perceptions of ageing. Factors such as the tension between traditional beliefs emphasising familial care and modern neoliberal values of independent living; coupled with limited public welfare resources, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, declining fertility rates, and political instability, shape the outlook of older women (Knodel et al., 2018; Jumnianpol et al., 2023). This paper aims to illustrate how these circumstances have driven older women to prepare for an independent and self-reliant lifestyle across various dimensions, including health, care arrangements, and financial security. Moreover, it examines the 'gendered' and 'cultured' interpretations of 'self-reliance,' pertaining to their roles in families and domestic settings, their reliance (or the avoidance thereof) on familial and professional care, and gendered socioeconomic inequalities, such as differential access to financial opportunities and disproportionate caregiving responsibilities between older men and women (Knodel and Chayovan, 2008; Fraser, 2016).By centring the experiences of the ageing population in the Global South and adopting a gendered and feminist epistemological stance, this paper contributes to furthering the knowledge in gerontological studies. It also sheds light on the complex diversities and nuances among elderly populations, offering a critical perspective on women’s ageing in non-Western contexts.

Authors:
Kullanit Nitiwarangkul, City University of London, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Ms Kullanit Nitiwarangkul is a University Doctoral Student at City, University of London in United Kingdom

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