Living alone as a living arrangement in old age: Ageing in Gaziantep

Demographic changes that occur due to modernization, industrialization and urbanization, as well as the reducing birth rates and the advances in healthcare, aging issue has become an important phenomena for all societies. In this manner, as a matter of fact, the number of elderly people living alone increased. In this thesis, it is tried to be understood that how the life satisfaction and life expectation of the aging people who live alone due to the changes in the family structure, has been affected by the dynamics of everyday life, the reasons behind their seperation from the extended family, the emotional effects of this separation and the living conditions they have. Besides it is aimed to understand how, social, cultural, economic and bodily capitals, as well as the advantageous and disadvantageous positions they owned during the life course has shaped their life experiences. In this qualitative research, in-depth interviews have been conducted with 30 people aged 65 and over, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The sample of the study is composed of 18 female and 12 male participants from different socio economic backgrounds, living in urban areas, living alone and with no serious health problems. In this study it has been comprehended that the 'capitals' the aging individuals living alone have accumulated and the 'habitus' they have developed during 'the life course' has determined their decision to live alone, the relations they have with their children, their social relations, leisure time activities and future expectations. As a result, both the social structure and personal choices of individuals play an important role in the construction of the aging process and affects to a high degree the life satisfaction of an individual during their old age. Keywords: Ageing, Living Alone, Life Course, Capitals, Social Relations, Life Satisfaction