Nigeria, is a country located on the Western region of Africa that has many traditions that have been upheld for centuries. Some of their traditional values, such as religion, have been adapted for the modern-day Nigerian, especially since post British colonization. However, one of the aspects of Nigerian culture that has gone relatively unchanged is their high regard for respect, especially towards their elders. Greeting one’s elder is considered a highly specialized task. In the Yoruba tribe, males are expected to prostrate and lie on the ground, while females are expected to bow or kneel before their elders while greeting them. For the Igbos, one must acknowledge the presence of a senior by extending a greeting like ‘Good morning’ or by shaking their hands firmly with two hands. Generally amongst all tribes, “elders in Nigerian culture are afforded great respect by the youth” (Purefoy).
However, it is this “culture of respect” that seems to be deteriorating. The youths of Nigeria seem to have more negative views and disregard for their elders. From their study on the perceptions that youths, ages 15-30, have of the elderly, Okoye and Obikeze (2005) found that “A large majority of the participants believed that the elderly behaved like children and are sickly” (447). Being seen as a burden than as a group of people to be respected and revered, is a view that not only the young people have.
Those in government seem to have forgotten the elders as well. Cities in Nigeria, specifically Lagos, one Nigeria’s biggest cities and its former capital, has made life very difficult for elderly Nigerians. One elderly man, of 80 years, stated that “Today in Nigeria people have no plans for the aged” (Purefoy). Places similar to Lagos, are undergoing quick urbanization much to the disadvantage of the elderly. And despite their complaints to meet with government officials to have these changes halted, their voices go unheard. One man commented that “our elders are reaping what they have sown. The elders — the youth of yesterday, they are the elders of today — so they are responsible for this misfortune that they are having” (Purefoy).
These types of changing attitudes pose a great concern for the elderly people of Nigeria. The lack of respect that they are given by the youth both in their community and in their government may significantly affect the care and quality of life that they will be afforded in their old age.
References:
Godwin, Ameh C. “Nigerians No Longer Have Respect for Their Elders – Jonathan.”DailyPost Nigeria. DailyPost, 15 June 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. <http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/06/15/nigerians-no-longer-have-respect-for-their-elders-jonathan/>.
Okoye, Uzoma O., and Dan S. Obikeze. “Stereotypes and Perceptions of the Elderly by the Youth in Nigeria: Implications For Social Policy.” Journal of Applied Gerontology 24.5 (2005): 439-52. SAGE. Web. 20 Sept. 2013.
Purefoy, Christian. “Nigeria’s Growth Leaves Elderly Behind.” CNN. Cable News Network, 06 Dec. 2009. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/04/nigeria.elderly/index.html>.
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