A STUDY OF THE SOCIO-CULTURAL LIFE OF RETIRED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES OF NAINITAL REGION

Abstract

The number of elderly people worldwide is rising, which is significant at this time, as a result of the increased life expectancy that was nearly questioned in industrialized nations from the beginning to the end of the 20th century. The population's age distribution is shifting as the percentage of senior citizens rises. as a result of continuous economic growth and the ensuing modifications to family dynamics. The elderly experience issues and lose their meaning and relevance in their own homes. People have a social circle that expands during productive age, while it contracts after retirement. When a person settles in a new place, they adapt to the social and cultural conditions, developing a specific interaction pattern with locals. This can be cordial, formal, or hostile, depending on individual personalities and the social set-up. Culture and society are different, with culture being a system of behaviour shared by members, and society being an organized group of individuals. Sociologists classify cultures into material and non-material, with manmade objects being civilization and internal customs and beliefs being non-material cultures. After retirement, individuals evolve into their social surroundings, moving from active working professionals to more participatory roles. Retirement offers relief from job stress and opportunities to explore interests, but also results in job loss, income reduction, and loss of status. Many retirees still maintain special bonds with childhood friends, which can be attributed to the availability of free time to explore old contacts. Neighbours' relationships with retirees are also affected by factors like introverted behaviour, unmanageable neighbours, and loud music. Pets and animals are considered essential for managing emotional swings and loneliness, with the majority having at least one dog as a family pet. Religious activities are also highly rated leisure activities for retirees, providing companionship and self-respect. In this study, we have tried to explain the impact of socio-cultural aspects of retirees on their retirement life and vice-versa.