Abstract: (54 Views)
Introduction: Aging, as a biological, social, and cultural phenomenon, has become one of the important issues in human societies in recent decades. With increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates, the proportion of elderly populations in many countries, including Iran, is rising. These demographic changes have brought new challenges in economic, social, and cultural domains, one of the most significant being the livelihood and welfare status of the elderly. Many elderly individuals face economic difficulties, lack of social support, and insufficient financial resources, which expose them to various vulnerabilities, including begging.
Method: In this regard, the present study focuses on elderly begging in Tehran city and aims to identify and explain the dynamics of elderly individuals becoming beggars using a grounded theory approach. The sampling was theoretical and purposive, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 elderly beggars.
Findings: The research findings emerged in the form of 33 main categories, 57 subcategories, and 101 concepts, along with a core category entitled "Worn-out Capitals; Roots of Begging," which are thoroughly examined through a paradigmatic model with the central phenomenon of "Poverty and Deprivation Trap."
Discussion: The study findings indicate that elderly people live in a risky society characterized by a high-spending and ineffective government, an unpredictable economy, and a turbulent family structure that has become dysfunctional or under-functional. In these conditions, the individual role of the elderly becomes prominent. The individual role refers to their possession of various forms of capital, which creates a multidimensional aging experience. In multidimensional aging, the capitals determine the quality and manner of elderly life. The less access the elderly have to various capitals, the higher the likelihood that they will engage in informal economic activities and that elderly begging will increase. Finally, a theoretical schema derived from the research findings is presented.
Method: In this regard, the present study focuses on elderly begging in Tehran city and aims to identify and explain the dynamics of elderly individuals becoming beggars using a grounded theory approach. The sampling was theoretical and purposive, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 elderly beggars.
Findings: The research findings emerged in the form of 33 main categories, 57 subcategories, and 101 concepts, along with a core category entitled "Worn-out Capitals; Roots of Begging," which are thoroughly examined through a paradigmatic model with the central phenomenon of "Poverty and Deprivation Trap."
Discussion: The study findings indicate that elderly people live in a risky society characterized by a high-spending and ineffective government, an unpredictable economy, and a turbulent family structure that has become dysfunctional or under-functional. In these conditions, the individual role of the elderly becomes prominent. The individual role refers to their possession of various forms of capital, which creates a multidimensional aging experience. In multidimensional aging, the capitals determine the quality and manner of elderly life. The less access the elderly have to various capitals, the higher the likelihood that they will engage in informal economic activities and that elderly begging will increase. Finally, a theoretical schema derived from the research findings is presented.
Keywords: Begging, Elderly Beggars, Insecurity of Economic and Social Capitals, Risky Society, Multidimensional Aging.
Type of Study: orginal |
Received: 2025/06/14 | Accepted: 2026/02/3
Received: 2025/06/14 | Accepted: 2026/02/3
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Social Welfare Quarterly
Social Welfare Quarterly, Social Welfare Research Department, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Daneshjoo Blvd, Evin, Tehran, Iran, 19857-13834
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Website: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir
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