In the United States, citizens will often run for political position during their retirement. However, the number of senior citizens in the Senate and House of Representatives is too low for the United States to be considered a gerontocracy. Tthe Lozi of South Central Africa also esteem their elderly for upholding values, norms, and taboos, especially involving kinship and marriageability. Elders will protest when a man wishes to marry a woman who is considered related to his family. If the man persists in marrying the woman, the elders will not dismiss it, but instead, curse the marriage.
Elders sometimes play the role of spiritual advisor.
Often elders are spiritual leaders, or at least, teach the details of rituals and ceremonies. Many societies regard their elders as counselors and advisory members. In traditional Russia , the younger members of the society took special care to seek the advice of an elder. Indeed, a council of elders was often required to review the major decisions of a family. Kung elders sometimes act as mediators.