Changing Attitudes toward the Old in Oriental Families in Israel

Abstract

Old people held a central position in traditional Jewish-Oriental family and society. After immigration to Israel this changed within a very short time, as Israel's Western-style society is not based upon the authority of the elder generation. Often this change was accompanied by the development of negative attitudes toward the aged, appearing in many families as disrespect and even as physical neglect of parents. But in other families the traditional attitudes of honoring the elder generation were retained, although in them too the rise of the nuclear family led to loss of power and importance formerly held by the aged members. The changing attitudes within the family are reflected in discussions by disadvantaged soldiers of Oriental origin in classes for basic training in the Israeli army and by answers of fifth-grade children to questions on their relations with their grandparents.