Envelhecer em Pernambuco – contradições e desafios na efetivação dos direitos da pessoa idosa

Abstract

Studies show that despite advances in the field of concepts and legislation guaranteeing the rights of the elderly, the gap between guarantee and enforcement is very large. From the perspective of understanding this phenomenon, this study aims to understand from the view of public managers of the social care network of Pernambuco and the counselors of the rights of the elderly, what are the factors that stand in the way of failure to enforce the social rights of the elderly as ensured under the law. In this sense, investigating what are the factors that prevent the non-realization of these rights as ensured under the law, becomes fundamental in order to understand the contradictions that stand in their practice. This is a case study, with a quantiquali approach, having as method of analysis the Social Representations that allowed to find elements of the social discourse brought by the subjects for a better understanding of the investigated social phenomenon. The research sample consisted of 5 State Public Managers, 14 Municipal Public Managers, 4 State Counselors, 8 Municipal Counselors. Therefore, the data collection instrument consisted of an interview form composed of a set of open and closed questions comprising three blocks. The results show that most of the interviewees are female, with a higher concentration in the age group of 35 to 45 years and that almost half have completed higher education. The analyzes of the social representations of the subjects about the investigated phenomenon show several factors that stand in the way of the realization of the rights of the elderly, influenced by the interpretations, ideas, visions and conceptions that they have about the studied social phenomenon. The study evidenced the lack of scientific or systematized knowledge about the investigated categories - demographic transition of the Brazilian age structure; aging; rights; role of the state - predominating the knowledge of common sense based on the daily experiences of the interviewed subjects. Regarding the factors that impede the realization of the rights of the elderly, the interviewees list several factors, among which stand out as predominant: the lack of 'political will or desire' of public managers; the lack of financial resources to implement actions aimed at the elderly population; the lack of budget support for the secretaries responsible for implementing the Elderly State Policy; the lack of financial and material investment for the organization and operation of the councils; cultural aspects related to the prejudiced conception of aging and therefore of the elderly; lack of training of public managers to manage actions aimed at the elderly. Scientific knowledge differs from common sense beliefs and opinions in that it is based on probable and apparent observations and may compromise reality by not expressing the real essence of phenomena. Therefore, the construction of a less fragmented, broader and more critical understanding in relation to the phenomenon studied is one of the biggest challenges for the realization of the rights of the elderly in relation to public and social policies, through their role as formulators. executors and evaluators of the State Policy of the Elderly, especially the State Policy of the Elderly in Pernambuco. It identifies the lack of financial investment for the implementation of actions aimed at the elderly, as well as for the organization and functioning of the councils as one of the preponderant factors. It is considered that the State creates, legitimates and implements the councils of rights under the law; however, it is not responsible for providing the conditions to fulfill its role, especially for social control of public and social policies. Why does the state do this? The question remains. This study suggests other studies that may answer this question. In this sense, it is hoped that this study will contribute to consolidate the studies developed by the Postgraduate Program in Consumption, Daily Life and Social Development of the Department of Consumer Sciences / UFRPE about studies on Care as Social Risk of the elderly. and, above all, subsidize the planning, implementation, evaluation and social control of public and social policies aimed at ensuring the social rights of the elderly, as well as subsidize the improvement of the conditions of organization and political and administrative functioning of older people's rights councils.