The purpose of the study was to describe the experience of some Chinese elders who are living with, and dependent on, their adult children. A second purpose was to explore the potential physical and mental health outcomes associated with being dependent on their adult children for psychological, financial, social, and, in some cases, physical care and support. The sample consisted of 10 first-generation Chinese elderly. Taped interviews were carried out with the assistance of an interpreter using semistructured and open-ended questions developed by the researcher. The data analysis used the constant comparative method, and four major themes emerged: loneliness and isolation, reduced resources with which to reciprocate in the care-receiving relationship, an expressed need for meaningful relationships and roles within the family, and the desire for greater independence. Implications for providing culturally sensitive care are discussed, as well as implications for client education and further research.

In recent years, North American society has begun to recognize the tragic extent of conjugal violence in our homes. Family violence knows no social boundaries and tragically our native peoples have suffered its full impact on their homes and communities. This article reports the findings of case studies of two Arctic communities and compares their responses to family violence before oil and gas development and after. The communities are situated in the centre of the recent exploration for hydrocarbon resources in the Beaufort Sea and have experienced the direct social impacts of this industrial activity. Thus, they provided an excellent opportunity to analyze the relationship between industrial development and violence within the home. The research applied a model developed by Blishen et al (1979), developed specifically for northern communities. The model analyzed the community's social processes and functioning on a continuum from "communitarianism" (social integration) to "privatization" (social isolation). This research collected data comparing conjugal violence before and after development and explored how individuals would respond to family violence and where they would go for help in addressing this problem. The analysis revealed that the communities held different levels of communitarianism and privatization before hydrocarbon development accelerated. After development, both communities experienced increased responses to family violence which were both communitarian and privatized in nature. Previous to development, the respondents tended to avoid situations of family violence and when confronted with it they often did not know how to respond. The findings indicated that conjugal violence has been present in native communities for a long time and it was incorrect to suggest that it was a new phenomenon blamed on increased development. The data indicated that native communities can and have successfully taken a community-based action on this problem. The data demonstrated that social work intervention focused on the community at large can have a positive impact on changing attitudes and stimulate community-based action. And there exists a danger that the social/human service worker may "professionalize" the problem, thereby removing the sense of responsibility from the community and "privatizing" the solution. The article's contribution lies in its critical assessment of traditional human service intervention with individuals and the structures of northern society. And, the paper challenges the professional helpers to broaden their strategies to include innovative community-based approaches.

In Canada, two interesting demographic trends have been underway: an aging population and a growth based upon immigration. These patterns combine to form a new group that seems to have evaded notice. According to the 2001 Census of Canada, immigrants are older than the national average and almost 31% of the immigrants from Europe are over 65 years of age. Of the total senior population, 28.4% are immigrants with 5% of Asian descent. Overall, 7.2% of the senior’s population is a visible minority. These patterns have implications for policy development and service delivery. As immigrants age in Canada, they will have very different expectations for services than non-immigrants and immigrants who aged in their home country. This paper offers recommendations for policy planners and service providers in health and social welfare services.

The study employed ethnographic inquiry to present the lived experiences of Chinese international students while attending the University of Regina, Canada. The findings displayed the transformative experiences of this group, including language acquisition, academic and social challenges, and the strategies by which the cultural group attempted to overcome the challenges with gender comparison. The study highlighted specific challenges affecting Chinese female students as they labor to overcome sexism and patriarchy on two continents. Cultural stereotyping and negative labeling were also evaluated in detail. Arguably, the findings might potentially impact education/social policies and university protocols as impinging vulnerable groups. Recommendations were made to alleviating difficulties for the group in facilitating a more supportive learning process within the university environment.

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