Abstract:
A study was carried out to study secondary school students' attitudes toward older persons (60+ years). The sample (N=1,440) included equal number of males and females Mattayom 1-6 (Grade 7-12) students studying at principal secondary schools of Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao provinces where is the center of Eastern Seaboard Development Project area. Thus each province was represented by 480 (240 male and 240 female) student subjects. The rating-scale-type Rosencranz and McNevin Aging Semantic Differential-ASD,translated into Thai,was used for data collection. Data was analyzed for means and standard deviations of the whole group and also based upon gender and class levels. Student t-test was used to find any differences between gender means. ANOVA was used to analyze the differences among the means of class levels. If such a difference existed then L.S.D. was employed to find where the difference was. It was found that in general the attitudes of these young persons toward the old was slightly positive (X=3.49-if one is fully positive and seven is totally negative). The two most positive attitudes were "friendliness" and "trustfulness" with the mean values of 2.28 and 2.40 respectively. However, being "old fashioned" (x=5.44) and "conservative" (x=5.37) were the two most negative attitudes. Furthermor, it was found the female students showed more positive attitude toward the old than their male counterparts (p<0.01). In addition, the subject group showed rather a uniform attitude since their attitude was not statistically different in 22 out of 32 items. Since no research of similar type was previously carried out , a trend of recent attitude change among the young Thais toward the old could not be seen. However, some recent studies on somes social values concerning the aged showed and interesting point which might has a connection with "attitude" when it was found that seniority, a respect of the order person and the way the youngs treat the older which is traditionally strong and in a positive way in the Thai custom, were deteriorating. With this in mind it may be possible that such the phenomenon occurred as a result of a decreasing positive attitude to the level of "slightly positive" found in the present study. Thus the only sound conclusion the could be made from the existing data of this study was that, in general, the present attitudes toward older persons was "slightly positive" This is not something to be satisfied with , instead,we should find ways to make such attitudes to become more positive. Finally, it was suggested that the study of this type should be conducted at a regular interval to monitor an attitude change among the younger generations. Any time when it is to be found that a change in attitude is directed toward a negative end, appropriated measures,i.e. through education , could be used to call back more positive attitudes toward the old among the younger generatious.