Gerontocracy and the Emerging Issues

A gerontocracy is a form of oligarchical rule in which an entity is ruled by leaders who are

significantly older than most of the adult population. The ancient Greeks were among the first to
believe in this idea of gerontocracies; as famously stated by Plato, "it is for the elder man to rule
and for the younger to submit" (Bytheway, 1995, p. 45). The term “gerontocracy” is the most
possibly a political phenomenon, whereby a small group of elderly individuals are in control of
power. The unpopularity of the term is due to its peculiar nature, it is, in short, a rule by both old
men and women (Gerner & Hedlund, 1989). The term gerontocracy is also used in regards to
prejudice and discrimination against youngsters. It makes young people sufferer by snatching
their due rights and force them to submit before strict and conservative principles which are
imposed by ageing people.

In simple words a gerontocracy is a society where leadership is merely reserved for elders
(Maddox, 1987). Mostly, gerontocratic system produces adverse impacts upon young people and
especially women. The novel under study depicts a vivid picture of the Afghan gerontocratic
society, where young people and especially girls are suffered very badly by the power abuse of
the older persons of the family. All the ageing characters like mothers-in-law, senior co-wives,
aged husbands etc. in the novel seem to impose their unjust decisions and opinions upon young
girls. Gerontocratic structure refers to form such governance controlled by people who are
considerably aged than the rest of the people of the same organization. Both senior male and
female can influence the young male and female in this structure. In a simplified definition, “a
gerontocracy is a society where leadership is reserved for elders” (Maddox, 1987, p. 284).

Gerontocratic system is generally found in most of the Pakhtoon society where ageing
community cause young people’s suffrage. In the novel under study, such imposing role is
played occasionally by both male and female in different contexts, which victimize young
populace and, especially young girls meticulously. The aged people in the novel try to make
younger elements subjugated by their unjust actions, dominant role, unnecessary interference,
and penetrating comments, etc.

Certain critical issues, which are connected to women, are not natural, but constructed by
patriarchal societies, and women easily fall prey of men’s oppression and domination. Women
have weak voice, unity and struggle to emancipate themselves from men’s governance; rather
they blame their destiny and curse their existence. Women’s role in some parts of the Pakhtoon’s
society is quite insignificant and demeaning. This is because of the so-called traditionalism,
patriarchal and matriarchal influences, which make them restricted to elder people’s slavery and
clemency. In certain events of the novel, women are so much suffered and frustrated that they
wanted to get rid of their lives either by committing suicides or running away.

A ‘gerontocracy’ is a society where leadership is reserved for elders (Maddox, 1987). The term
‘Gerontocracy’ generally means a system ruled or controlled by ageing people either male
or female. Initially, this term was introduced by anthropologists in 1930 to describe various
societies in which social stratification was based on age-grades and public roles were
assigned by age-grade and governance functions were allocated to the old-aged group. The
term is now used generally to describe societies in which major decisions’ making and
dominating roles are performed by the oldest people, with negative repercussions and
instability. This age-based dominancy causes troubles and hardships for females in their
domestic lives.

In Gerontocracy, authority, capital and status stream upwards within an age pyramid.
Gerontocratic system is exercised in most of the societies, where elder men and women exercise
their power to subjugate or dominate the younger elements of the family. This might include
such behaviour that is physically, emotionally, and economically abusive, which aim to get
control or governance over other through fear and threat. This hidden and non-criminalized elder
abuses lead to physical violence, abusive and stalking behavior which deteriorates the lives of
youngsters and especially women. In the gerontocratic system, the status of youth is enormously
low and their role is confined to serve and entertain elders. Getting someone’s service is the sign
of power and influence, especially for males, which must be accomplished by females.

A gerontocratic society can be defined as a place where the decision-making process and the
political and social environment are dominated by the ageing people, with adverse consequences
(Atella & Carbonari, 2012). Gerontocratic system affects the young people on the basis of its
inflexible and unstable trends. Old age develops obstinacy and rigidness in behaviour, which
greatly affect those who remain in its subordination.
The gerontocratic principle is demonstrated by the prevalence of child discipline. As a child is
spanked or beaten with a stick or broom, similarly elder members of the family show severity in
behaviors to get power and reverence. The implications of ageing character of the contemporary
societies are so far being directed towards numerous domestic issues, including aggressive
behaviour, and physical and non-physical violence.

Women’s position in the Pakhtoon’s society has been challenging for centuries. They have been
deliberately deprived of the opportunities for growth in the name of religion and so called
traditionalism. In the social-political plain, women are suffered from the denial of freedom even
in their own houses and by family members. They always become the victims of repression,
irrational commands, an inferior status, rigid caste hierarchy and even untouchability at the
domestic and social levels. Religious traditions, social institutions and cultural values play a very
considerable role in confining women’s status.

Culture and tradition have bound the Afghan society since ancient times. The patriarchal system
and the gender stereotypes in the family and society have always shown a preference for the
male child. Sons are regarded as a means of social security, and women remained under male’s
domination. Women’s subordination means the inferior position of women to men, their lack of
access to resources and decision making, etc. (Sultana, 2010). Due to women’s subordinate
position, they suffer in fear of discrimination, exploitation and subjugation. In such cases,
women easily become the victim of several social evils, like early marriage, immolation,
polygamy, veil system, female infanticide, forced pregnancy and sexual harassment, etc.

In the case of women’s affliction, many people, including intimate partner, in-laws, co-wife, etc.
play a caustic role. As a result, these demoralized women and especially young girls fall victim
of inferiority complex and other psychological problems. The problem of discrimination and
violence against women affect the sex ratio in the Afghan societies. The main causes of violence
against women are: the unequal power relations, gender favoritism, patriarchy, economic
dependence, and no freedom in decision-making, etc.

Gender discrimination or biasness on the basis of women has become a global issue. Gender
discrimination as the name suggests is the unfair treatment of women and denial of opportunities
and violation of their rights (Zarar & Bukhsh, 2017). Major causes responsible for gender
discrimination are poor literacy, economic dependence, societal trends, inflexible customs and
traditions, and religious influence. Gender-based discrimination causes wastage of women’s
talent, their psychological diseases and lack of confidence. As a result, women remain unhealthy,
depressed, dejected and consider their existence on the earth as a burden.

Bacha-Posh Tradition

The term ‘Bacha-posh’ literally translated from the local Dari language, which means ‘a girl
dressed like a boy’. There are certain families who bring up their daughters as sons and when
they reach to puberty, they are again transformed to femininity (Sabet, 2018).

The tradition of bacha-posh is usually found in Afghan’s societies. Parents who don’t have any
male child face societal pressure, therefore, they disguise one of their daughters as a son to
elevate their social standing. In most of the Pukhton’s societies where male child is given utmost
significance, so there, bacha-posh provides some psychological relief. Bacha-posh is treated like
any other boy, who enjoys full liberation, and performs all the activities of boys.

Bacha-posh is a process of adapting to a strict social environment where possessing a son is

considered quite mandatory for any family longing prestige and protection (Nushin, 2011). Bach-
posh tradition is exercised for both economic and social reasons. Bacha-posh performs outdoor
activities like working in the market, bringing stuff from the market etc. In Afghan societies such
transformation of gender is considered a good omen for getting a real son.