Honouring the elders: The common good among Karen communities – a multi‐sited ethnography. (27th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jolliffe, Pia; Worland, Shirley
• Other Names: Goodwin‐Hawkins Bryonny guestEditor.; Dawson Andrew guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of anthropology. Volume 29:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 158
• Page End: 170
• Publication Date: 2018-05-27
• Subjects: Karen older persons -- common good -- honour and respect -- community; Anthropology -- Periodicals; 301.05
• DOI: 10.1111/taja.12275
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1035-8811

Abstract

Abstract : This article discusses intergenerational relations and moral values among Karen communities in Thailand, Myanmar, Australia, Norway and the UK. We use a conceptual framework inspired by Christian anthropology and the notion of the "common good" to analyse how the practice of honouring the elderly is sustained by virtues of "acknowledged dependence" and "rational independence" (MacIntyre2009 ). The article argues that honour of the elders in Karen communities is an intergenerational process. The younger's "acknowledged dependence" of the vulnerability of the elder results in respect and support enabling the elder's "rational independence". In turn, this facilitates ongoing imparting of wisdom and socially valuable knowledge contributing to an effective social order; thus, the common good of their communities. Research processes of long‐term participant observation and more recent interviews revealed that honour and respect of older persons in diverse Karen communities across five countries remains a virtue valued by younger and older alike.