The role of the aged in primitive society

Yale University Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Simmons, Leo W.

Hypothesis

"Statistically, analysis reveals that the practice [killing the aged] has been most prevalent where the climate has been severe, where residence has been impermanent, and the food supply irregular; it has also been observed . . . among collectors, hunters, herders, and fishers" (240)

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Yule’s QSupportedUNKNOWNUNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Killing Of AgedUNKNOWNStatus And Treatment Of The Aged
Permanency Of ResidenceUNKNOWNInternal Migration
Regularity Of Food SupplyUNKNOWNGratification And Control Of Hunger
Severity Of ClimateUNKNOWNClimate
SubsistenceUNKNOWNProduction And Supply

Related Hypotheses

Main AuthorHypothesis
Simmons, Leo W.Prestige of the aged is negatively correlated with severe climate and impermanent residence. It is positively correlated for aged men and women where they have property rights and influence in government. Aged women enjoy more prestige in hunting-gathering and fishing societies and in societies where matrilineal family organization prevails. Aged men have high prestige where the food supply is constant, where family organization type is patrilineal, in herding and framing societies, and w...
Simmons, Leo W.". . . .in customs of food sharing with the aged there has been no significant difference in the treatment accorded to aged men and women (34)
Simmons, Leo W."Finally, with advancing economy, greater complexity and integration of social organization, and with a general improvement in societal stability the aged have tended to enjoy a steadily rising enhancement of status in civil and political affairs" (130)
Simmons, Leo W.". . . in primitive societies there has been a pronounced tendency toward communal sharing of food, irrespective of age, in areas where the climate is severely cold or serious droughts are common" (32)
Simmons, Leo W.Participation by the aged in general activities is dependent upon climate, permanency of residence, basic maintenance activities and family organization. The opportunity of the aged to participate in subsistence activities increases among herders and agriculturalists. Aged males are more likely to contribute to infant and child care in matriarchal societies. Midwifery is practiced by aged women regardless of cultural determinants (102, 103, 104)