Discourse on the Older Adult and Aging in Friday Sermons in Türkiye: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how older adults have been portrayed in Friday sermons in T & uuml;rkiye over the past decade (2014-2024). Friday sermons, which serve as a significant religious and social communication tool in Islamic societies, possess the power to shape the beliefs and attitudes of the community. Adopting a qualitative content analysis approach and drawing on social constructionist theory, the study thematically examines the sermons published by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet & Idot;& scedil;leri Ba & scedil;kanl & imath;& gbreve;& imath;). The findings indicate that older adult individuals are predominantly referred to in positive terms in the sermons, such as 'those who should be respected,' 'whose prayers are answered,' 'the main pillar of the family,' and 'the deep-rooted value of society.' However, older adults are also frequently positioned among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and are specifically mentioned during times of war, natural disasters, and crises. Furthermore, issues such as the isolation of older adults in the modern world and their abandonment in nursing homes are addressed in a critical tone. Through religious references, the sermons call upon young people and families to fulfill their responsibilities toward older adults, emphasizing that showing respect to the older adults will be rewarded in the hereafter. The research, framed within social constructionist theory, provides important insights into how religious discourse shapes societal perceptions of aging. In conclusion, the study suggests that discourses regarding older adults should be increased, and that aging should be associated not only with vulnerability but also with active aging, participation, and value creation.