Elder abuse research based on the analysis of Russian folk works as cross‐cultural communication

Abstract

Non‐Russian readers of Russian fairy tales may find the stories disturbing and harsh, full of cruel and violent acts such as murders, robberies and other illegal actions. In Russia, however, many children grow up reading these fairy tales as part of an ordinary cultural upbringing. This article analyses the subject of elder abuse and disrespect of age as presented in Russian fairy tale works. On the basis of sociological research of the fairy tales, the author draws a conclusion about the prevalence of elder abuse and age discrimination portrayed in the analysed folk works.