Attitudes Toward Aging in the United States and Taiwan

Abstract

The study compared attitudes toward aging and needs of old people of 200 (100 male, 100 famale) college students from Taiwan and 400 (225 male and 175 female) students of Chinese descent living in the United States. Instruments consisted of Attitude Toward Old People’s Scale (Kogan, 1961), and Needs of Old People (Kitty & Feld, 1976). Results indicated that both groups bad favorable attitudes toward aging and needs of old people. However, differences in the Attitude Toward Old People Scale between the TaiwanChinese and the U.S.-Chinese students were seen with the Taiwan students holding less stereotypical views of the elderly. Differences in the Needs of Old People Scale indicated that the U.S.-Chinese students held a more favorable attitude. Significant differences were noted between U.S.-Chinese subgroups in their Attitude Toward Old People and Needs of Old People. Results are discussed in view of the role of increased urbanization, and educational, societal and family support for attitudes toward the aged.