The term Elder, or its equivalent in another language, is used in several countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority. This usage is usually derived from the notion that the oldest members of any given group are the wisest, and are thus the most qualified to rule, provide counsel or serve the said group in some other capacity. They often serve as oral repositories of their culture's traditional knowledge, morals, and values. [1] [2]
Elder is a role in an organised community, and is most common in tribal subsistence cultures, Elderhood is the condition or quality of being an elder, the state of being of advanced age and thus seen in active or passive leadership roles by peers and subordinates alike.
Sometimes, the role is recognised by some ceremonial investiture or milestone, while simpler instances merely select the eldest person relative to all others in a group. Elders are then generally expected to guide those beneath them, share life experiences, foster group unity, and act as spiritual embodiments of their communities.
An example of informal elderhood is the role of the matriarchal grandmother in many parts of the global South. In the absence of a male elder or despite viable males present, grandmothers in these areas tend to be de facto heads for groups of their descendants, and catalysts of periodic reunions and important meetings. They thus provide familial cohesion that would otherwise be absent.
Another example is the vocational mentor, who guides apprentices with tools of sponsorship, advocacy, and skills demonstration. He or she serves to facilitate creativity in apprentices by passing on traditional methods pertaining to their occupation.
In more formal examples, elders serve as the members of a governing and/or advisory body for higher personages, such as kings and presidents, as a council of elders. This often gives them prestige amongst their peoples comparable to classical nobility in Europe. Due to this, elderhood of this variety is generally considered to be an aspirational role in many communities.
There are long-established conceptualisations of elders on the Internet. They are typically established individuals who are outbound, often due to unwanted changes they cannot prevent. [3]