Global Aging and International Social Work Practice: A Developing Country Perspective

Dhrubodhi Mukherjee, MSW, Ph.D
Assistant Professor, Social Work
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

 Abstract

This article explores the challenges that an aging population poses to developing countries. It also argues that the future of aging among industrialized nations is intertwined with the management of the aging policies across developing countries. Existing literature and population trends are examined to show how globalization has created several fundamental changes in the cultural practices and traditional social norms across developing societies that have contributed to a weakening social status of older adults. The article takes a task centered social work approach in its attempts to describe the vulnerabilities of these older adults. Policy recommendations that have far-reaching consequences for industrialized countries are included.

 About the Author

Dhrubodhi Mukherjee, MSW, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Southern Illinois University. His research agenda includes elder abuse, social gerontology, technology aided civic engagement by older adults, cross-cultural gerontology, and social network analysis. Dr. Mukherjee's research and practice in international social work and education include a World Bank project in India on urban slum rehabilitation program, administration of a study abroad program to India, and presentations in several international conferences in Europe, Hong Kong, China, and Toronto, Canada. He is actively involved in the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) and Human Service Information Technology Applications (HUSITA).