Analysis of the effects of aging on the inhibition of economic-social development in the villages of Rukh-Torbat Heydarieh Jalgah

Dissertation for obtaining a master's degree in the field

Abstract

From the modern point of view, the population is considered as a tool, means of work and the final beneficiary of the development process. This insight does not consider the population as a quantitative category, but also considers its qualitative structure. One of the important topics in this regard is the aging of the population, which has appeared in the cities and especially in the villages of the country today, and is considered one of the reasons that prevent rural development. With this point of view, the aim of the present study was to investigate and analyze the effects of aging on the inhibition of rural economic-social development in Jalga Rukh section of Torbat Heydarieh city, which was carried out with a descriptive-analytical method, based on field studies. Data collection was done by completing a questionnaire, in order to know the development status of the villages in the region, 48 indicators were identified and analyzed in two social and economic dimensions; Statistical tests of SPSS and GIS software were used to analyze data and prepare maps, respectively. According to the results of the Menoitney test and a significance level of less than 0.05, a significant difference in the level of development between villages with a combination of young and old age was realized. Also according to the findings of the research, the average of the social dimension in young villages was 4.07 and in the elderly villages was 2.44, and the average of the economic dimension was 3.92 and 1.64 in young and elderly villages, respectively. In general, the results of the research indicate that the phenomenon of aging has played an inhibiting role in the economic-social development of the villages of this sector. Keywords: inhibition, aging, economic-social development, Jalga Rukh district, Torbat Heydarieh city. Chapter 1: Introduction and generalities of the research. Generalities of the research. 1-1- Introduction.

     Population is a source of immortality that can play an effective role in the realization of economic-social development. A logical relationship between population and development causes harmonious economic and social development, raising the standard of living and well-being of people (Saei Ersi, 2017: 70). Despite the scientific studies conducted in this field, the bilateral relationship between population and development is still not well known. Because their effect on each other is indirect and they have complex relationships due to the presence of intervening variables. The population and development of each are affected by different socio-economic phenomena and variables and have various aspects and many components (Papoli-Yazdi and Ebrahimi, 1387: 142).

     In relation to rural development, its main goal should be to empower the masses of the rural population who now cannot meet the basic needs of life by their own efforts (Hunter, 1980: 4). The centrality of humans in the development process makes it important to pay attention to rural areas, because humans are both the goal of development and the most important means of development. In rural areas, this human force, which is referred to as the popular sector, exists in an unorganized and decentralized form. If we consider the exploitation of labor force in rural communities as an effective element in the process of national development, the role of rural development in the process of national development finds its place and importance (Jumehpour, 1387: 74-69).

Among the issues related to population and development is the issue of population aging. Aging as a demographic issue is considered one of the newly emerging phenomena in the country. Since the elderly population is more than a producer, it is a consumer and therefore dependent on the working population, it will have adverse effects on the society in economic and social dimensions. The aging of the rural population is also one of the important topics of this issue, which becomes doubly important considering the role of the population in the economic-social development of rural areas. The aging of the rural population creates obstacles on the way to development, because the aging population usually seeks to value past behavioral methods and resist changes (Ramazanian, 1380: 209).

     The aging population loses the ability to replace and regenerate, which will result in the gradual destruction of villages. Another result of the aging of the rural population is the change in the way property and assets are transferred from the elderly to the heirs and the young generation; In this way, the aging phenomenon has gradually brought together two or three generations who continue to live simultaneously.In such cases, usually the elderly person is not willing to give his property to his young children in order to maintain power and continue supervision; Also, socially, they limit the young generation and usually ignore the participation of young people in the activities and decisions related to the village and do not allow them to interfere in the affairs. This is where rural youth migrate to solve the problem of lack of work, capital, and adequate income, as well as to get rid of the stated social problems (Ibid.: 230). While migration from the countryside to the city will eventually lead to the growth of unemployment and poverty (Goldsmith, 2004: 22).

     The migration of rural youth can lead to the mixing of the age and gender composition of the villages, the remaining of the elderly and the stagnation of agricultural activities, which will ultimately lead to an increase in rural poverty. In developing countries, including Iran, migration from the village to the city is among the most important social and economic issues and will have consequences such as the feminization of the agricultural workforce, the evacuation of villages, the aging of the rural population, etc. 

      On the other hand, elderly people are not able to be active and continue useful work, and they may not be able to make optimal use of the funds, facilities and resources as they should. Also, the rural elderly group has both positive and negative characteristics, and as a result, their impact on the rural development process will also be dual; On the one hand, the elderly have native-local knowledge, many years of experience, suitable social status, economic ability (owning agricultural land, housing, etc.) and on the other hand, they have negative characteristics such as low level of aspirations, lack of creativity and innovation, illiteracy and illiteracy, physical weakness, inflexibility and resistance to changing production methods. In this regard, the present research will examine and analyze the effects of aging on the inhibition of economic-social development in the villages of Rukh-Torbet Heydarieh Jalgah. The present thesis has been completed in five chapters as follows: In the first chapter, the generalities of the research are presented in the main introduction, problem definition, importance and necessity of research, goals, questions and assumptions, time and place scope and background of the research. In the second chapter, the definitions of some research words and terms, the views and theories related to rural development, the characteristics and goals of rural development and its obstacles are discussed in the third chapter. The natural geography of the area including location, topography, and. And in the following, the characteristics of the human and economic geography of the studied area are given. The second part of this chapter includes the research methodology, including the statistical population, the way of collecting information and data analysis. The fourth chapter includes the research findings, which initially describes the information obtained through completing the questionnaire in the studied villages, and the second part of this chapter is dedicated to testing the research hypotheses, which has been analyzed separately. The fifth chapter includes the summary, conclusions, and suggestions. Statement of the research problem Development is a commitment with "man" and for "man" which also starts with "man" (Asayesh, 2012: 65). The growth and development of many countries depends on the organization of rural areas (Saeidi, 1377: 1).  Rural development is one of the topics that is rarely discussed independently. The role and position of the village in the processes of economic and social development at the local, regional, national and international scale and the consequences of the underdevelopment of rural areas such as unemployment, rapid population growth, migration, urban marginalization, etc. have caused attention to rural development and even its precedence over urban development (Ezkia, 1386: 19).

Human power is one of the important factors in rural development and due to its key role in development, it should be specially investigated. Currently, the Iranian society is experiencing the transition stage of the age structure from youth to old age (Mirzaei, 1377: 71) and in this process, the middle-aged and elderly population is increasing day by day and the youth and young population is decreasing. The increase in the growth rate of the elderly population compared to the growth of the total population, the annual increase in the number and share of the elderly justifies the need for attention and forward-looking planning to solve the problems arising from this problem (Kazmipour, 1389: 102).