Elder abuse in rural and urban Zambia

237 Pages·2017·1.72 MB·English

by  Isaac Kabelenga

AAccttaa UUnniivveerrssiittaattiiss LLaappppoonniieennssiiss 337628
ISMAAirCj AK AKBöEnLEgNäGsA
Elde”rE Aihbuänse l ianp rsuilr eael sa nodo uhrebramno Zjaa”m bia
EtnografiInnteenr vtiuetwki-mstuuds yla wstietnh tcuonmnmeäulynsittäy pleäaivdäekrsotiarjessa
AAkcaatedeemmiince dni svsäeirttöastkioirnja,
joka Lapin yliotop ibsteo pnu ybhlticeliys kduenfetantdieetde iwdeitnh ttiheed epkeurmnnisasnio snuostumuksella
esiteotfä tähne j Fualkciuseltsyt io tfa Srkoacsiatel Sttcaiveankcseis L aatp tihne y Ulionpivisetrosnit ylu oefn Ltaopslaalnisdsa 10
in lectmuraea lrioskoumu n3 o9.n p 1ä5iv Jäunnäe 2 2001188 k alot 1122 noon
Supervisors:
Professor. Merja Laitinen
Professor. Marjaana Seppanen
rovaniemi 2018

AAccttaa UUnniivveerrssiittaattiiss LLaappppoonniieennssiiss 337628
ISMAAirCj AK AKBöEnLEgNäGsA
Elde”rE Aihbuänse l ianp rsuilr eael sa nodo uhrebramno Zjaa”m bia
EtnografiInnteenr vtiuetwki-mstuuds yla wstietnh tcuonmnmeäulynsittäy pleäaivdäekrsotiarjessa
Akateeminen väitöskirja,
joka Lapin yliopiston yhteiskuntatieteiden tiedekunnan suostumuksella
esitetään julkisesti tarkastettavaksi Lapin yliopiston luentosalissa 10
maaliskuun 9. päivänä 2018 klo 12
rovaniemi 2018
University of Lapland
Faculty of Social Sciences
© Isaac Kabelenga
Layout: Essi Saloranta / Kronolia
Cover: Miia Anttila
Sales:
Lapland University Press
PL 8123
FI-96101 Rovaniemi
Finland
tel. [phone]
publications@ulapland.
www.ulapland./LUP
University of Lapland Printing Centre, Rovaniemi 2018
Printed work:
Acta Universitatis Lapponiensis 372
ISBN 978-952-337-075-3
ISSN 0788-7604
PDF:
Acta electronica Universitatis Lapponiensis 239
ISBN 978-952-337-076-0
ISSN 1796-6310
Table of contents
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................7
Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................9
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................11
1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................................11
1.2 Study aim and objectives ............................................................................................................13
1.3 Research questions .......................................................................................................................15
1.4 Structure of the thesis .................................................................................................................15
2 Review of existing literature on elder abuse ....................................................................17
2.1 Definitions, forms, prevalence and consequences of elder abuse .......................................17
2.2 Theoretical explanations of elder abuse ...................................................................................29
2.3 Measures proposed and used to address elder abuse .............................................................40
2.4 Literature review on elder abuse in Zambia ...........................................................................47
3 Research process ............................................................................................................................56
3.1 Social constructionism and qualitative approach as methodological commitments ....56
3.2 Data collection .............................................................................................................................59
3.2.1 Rural and Urban community as study sites ...............................................................59
3.2.2 Interviewees .....................................................................................................................63
3.3 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................79
3.4 Ethical considerations .................................................................................................................87
4 Views of community leaders about elder abuse .............................................................92
4.1 Elder people as victims of abuse ................................................................................................92
4.2 Elder abuse as a social issue ......................................................................................................112
4.2.1 Elder abuse as a social issue at local community levels ..........................................113
4.2.2 Elder abuse as a social issue at national level ...........................................................119
4.3 Factors that explain elder abuse in the two communities ..................................................121
5 Views of the community leaders on further actions against elder abuse ........140
5.1 Measures used to address elder abuse .....................................................................................140
5.2 Suggested ways to intervene in elder abuse...........................................................................154
6 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................166
6.1 Summary of the major findings of the study ........................................................................166
6.2 Discussion ...................................................................................................................................174
6.2.1 Elder abuse as a global issue including local ways of knowing and doing .........174
6.2.2 Proposed Model of Elder Abuse in Zambia ............................................................189
6.2.3 Evaluation of the research ...........................................................................................193
6.2.4 Limitations of the Research Project..........................................................................197
6.2.5 Reflection on learning and personal developments through research ...............199
6.2.6 Ideas for further research.............................................................................................204
References .................................................................................................................................................210
Appendices ...............................................................................................................................................228
Appendix.1 Consent form ................................................................................................................228
Appendix.2 Study guide used in data collection ..........................................................................230
Appendix.3 Introductory letters used during fieldwork.............................................................234
Appendix.4 Abbreviations ................................................................................................................236
List of figures
Figure 1 Ecological theory/model ....................................................................................................36
Figure 2 Marxist theory of violence against older people ............................................................38
Figure 3 Map of Zambia ......................................................................................................................47
Figure 4 Conceptual diagram of the overall analysis .....................................................................86
Figure 5 Meanings of elder abuse ....................................................................................................111
Figure 6 Factors that explain elder abuse ......................................................................................121
Figure 7 Measures used to address elder abuse .............................................................................141
Figure 8 Suggested ways to intervene in elder abuse ...................................................................154
Figure 9 Proposed model of elder abuse in Zambia ....................................................................192
Acknowledgements
This work was made possible by the assistance and cooperation I received from
various people. In light of this, I would like to extend special and sincere thanks to
my supervisors, Prof. Merja Laitinen and Prof. Marjaana Seppanen for the guidance
throughout my studies. This final product was made possible with their patient
guidance and tireless efforts. They were so nice to me through out my academic
journey. I thank you with my whole heart! Please keep afloat the excellent academic
spirits and may God richly bless you for the wonderful support given to me! I am also
thankful indeed to the pre-examiners – Prof. Mo Ray from University of Lincoln,
United Kingdom and Dr. Helena Blomberg-Kroll from University of Helsinki,
Finland for pre-examining my thesis. Special thanks go to Prof. Helena Blomberg-
Kroll for willing to be my opponent during public defence of my dissertation. I would
like also to say thank you to Prof. Tarja Orjasniemi at University of Lapland who
did preliminary internal evaluation of my thesis. Minna Nousiainen also deserves my
special thanks for all the administrative support that she gave to me during my studies.
I am also grateful indeed to Miia Anttila for designing the cover of this book. Many
thanks also go to Paula Kassinen for facilitating the organization and printing of this
book. The Communications and External Relations at the University of Lapland
deserves special thanks for the press release about this book. I am also thankful indeed
to Lars Nooden and Satu, and Lars Otto among others for supporting the party to
celebrate the completion of my studies. I also extend my heart-felt appreciations to
my former supervisors for my masters’ degree – Prof. David Lewis and Dr. Armine
Iskanian at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) who gave
me a lot of informal support during my doctoral studies. I am also so grateful to the
31 informants in Zambia that comprise the basis of this research. They are the owners
of the knowledge that have made me achieve the objectives of this study. This is your
work, more than it is mine. I hope your knowledge will contribute to the well-being
of humanity not only in Zambia but globally. I am also indebted to all the members of
staff at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Librarians and the whole University of Lapland
for the academic assistance throughout my studies. I am also grateful to all members
of staff in the Department of Social Development Studies, School of Humanities and
Social Sciences and the the whole University of Zambia for the support throughout
my studies. I also appreciate whole-heartedly all my friends in Finland who made my
stay in Finland enjoyable. Many thanks go to my church mates at Free Church and the
English Bible Study Group who include Pekka and his wife Leila, Pekka and his wife
Riita, Marni and his wife Maro, Jani and his wife, Matthias and his wife, Jarni, Eero
and his wife Karol, Katri, Hellen, Ritu, Mongiwa, Lars, Mari, Heini, Abel, Marketa,
Acknowledgements | 7
Richie, Jussi, Niilo, Jassim, Pasca, and Janina and her family, and DAS members of
staff among others.
My studies would not have been enjoyable without support from my family members
in Zambia, in particular my mother Mrs. Lainess Kibenda Kabelenga, my wife Nachi
Mutungwa Kabelenga, Uncle Kang’ongo, Auntie Kang’ongo and the whole Kang’ongo
family, Uncle Roy Mulenga and his family, my sisters and brothers especially Eunice,
Mrs. Leah Jimu Kanguya, Mrs. Mwabila and Aquila, my brother in-law Mr. Smart
Kakumba and his family, my nephews Ignatius, Comfort and Isaac and his wife and
my nieces Thelma and Gladys. In short, I am thankful to the whole extended family!
I also wholeheartedly say thank you to my late father – Mr. Isaiah Kabelenga and my
late elder sister – Mrs. Mirriam Kabelenga Lubambula who brought me up. I miss you
greatly. May your souls rest in eternal peace of the Living God. I am also grateful indeed
to all my Church mates at Chamba Valley Evangelical Church especially those who
gave me spiritual and moral support during my studies. These include Rev. Benson
Banda, Elder Njapau, Elder Kanguya, Elder Yung’ana, Elder Selemani, Brother Eric
Sankalimba, Brother Kaluba, Brother Douglas Lubuwa and Brother Kajoba among
others. Bishop Chinsembu, Rev. John Muyutu, Rev Evaristo Mambwe and Rev. Henry
Mukonda also derserve my thanks for their prayers. May God richly bless you all!
Furthermore, I gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance from Center for
International Mobility (CIMO) - Finland and the University of Zambia. Your financial
support realy lessened my financial stress during my studies. I also acknowledge the
academic support from my late Dean – Dr. Bernett Siamwiza who supported me
amazing in my studies.
Above all, I am so grateful to the Living God Almighty for the protection, good
body health and wisdom which He accorded unto me throughout my studies. It was
not an easy task, but with the help of God, it was possible. Trully God Ebenezer –
1 Samuel 7:12 (God has helped me reach this far in my life)!
8 | Kabelenga: Elder Abuse in rural and urban Zambia
Abstract
The main aim of this study was to describe and understand elder abuse using the
views of the community leaders involved in addressing elder abuse in rural and
urban Zambia. By using social constructionism as the philosophical underpinning
of the study, and qualitative research with 31 informants, the results indicate that
elder abuse in both rural and urban Zambia is a multifaceted social problem. This is
because it does not only negatively affect the abused elder people but also affects the
perpetrators of elder abuse, the local communities where abuse takes place and the
whole Zambia. It is socially constructed in seven main forms namely spiritual abuse,
political abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, material abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
Interestingly is that all these types of abuse are inseperable.This is because they usually
take place simultaneously. Thus, from this study, it is clear that most of the abused
elder people in the two communities of Zambia simultaneously suffer more than one
type of abuse. The study has also constructed new knowledges on various aspects
of elder abuse which include characteristics of abused elder people, characteristics
of perpetrators of elder abuse, consequences of elder abuse and measures which
are effective and ineffective in the fight against elder abuse. With regard to the
characteristics of the abused elder people and perpetrators of abuse, the current study
has shown that there is no single category of elder people or perpetrators that can be
single out to be the victims or to be behind elder abuse. Rather, a mixture of elder
people suffers abuse. In the same vein, there is a mixture of perpetrators of elder abuse.
This is because what determine elder abuse are the types of relationships that exist
between the particular elder person and other members of society. If the relationship
is poor, any elder person regardless of the socio-economic status can be abused.
Equally, if the relationship is poor, any person regardless of the socio-economic status
can participate in elder abuse. In terms of the consequences, the study has established
that elder abuse has intended and unintended consequences which transcend the
abused elder person and the abuser. This is because the effects of elder abuse are also
felt by the Zambian government and other actors involved in the social development
of Zambia. Coming to the measures, the study has shown that both formal and
informal measures can be used to address elder abuse. Depending on how they are
used, both types can be effective and/or ineffective in the fight against elder abuse.
Based on the present results, the study concludes that despite the differences in ways
of living in rural and urban Zambia, elder abuse has manifested itself in similar ways.
However, how the informants socially constructed various dynamics of elder abuse is
different in a number ways from what is documented in many scientific literatures on
elder abuse. Thus, the study concludes also that elder abuse can be understood well
using the knowledge of the local people who understand their local environments
Abstract | 9