Faith, Work, and Reciprocity: Listening to Mexican Men Caregivers of Elderly Family Members

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the role of Mexican men caregivers of older adults. Studies investigating male caregiving practice in Mexico are lacking. Listening events for older adults and family caregivers were held in six cities, obtaining an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 121 participants-81 older adults and 57 primary caregivers (including 17 older adults). Focus groups discussed end-of-life issues and challenges of care. Discussions were audio recorded and field notes were made. Framework Analysis was used to analyze data. Nationally, 37% of the caregivers were men. In the metropolitan area of Mexico City, 57% of caregivers were men. The men caregivers discussed their roles and experiences. The results were categorized into three themes: (a) reciprocity in family caregiving, (b) a practical work-oriented attitude toward caregiving, and (c) strong religious faith. Caregiving formed an important part of their masculine role. Stereotypes related to gender and care should be reexamined. Further research is needed to explore gender variations in caregiving, evolving gender roles, and needs for support and services.

Burden and Gender inequalities around Informal Care

“…( 60 ) Several studies show how this has affected men, who, when women in the family are not present or available, assume the role of informal caregivers, breaking gender stereotypes and also changing their perception of themselves. ( 26 , 61 , 62 ) From this new trend, new masculinities emerge( 32 ) which reminds us that family roles and gender identities are not immutable or universal but change and adapt to new needs. ( 60 )…”

The Socialization of Unpaid Family Caregivers: A Scoping Review

“…Nance et al’s (2018) study of male Mexican caregivers demonstrates the pervasiveness of gender norms. As Mexican cultural norms of masculinity imply that a “good” man cares for his family, male Mexican caregivers stated that giving personal care to mothers, wives, or in-laws was not unusual.…”

“…Role acculturation included 19 studies representing socialization as implicit and intergenerationally-transmitted. These were case studies (Au et al, 2012;Bryant & Lim, 2012;Chan et al, 2012;Hsueh et al, 2008;Mendez-Luck et al, 2017;Nance et al, 2018;Sasat, 1998;Wallhagen & Yamamoto-Mitani, 2006;Wu, 2009); ethnographies (Crosato et al, 2007;Gerdner et al, 2007;Holroyd, 2001: Jenike, 2002McAuley, 2001;Sánchez-Ayéndez, 1998); phenomenological analyses (Faronbi et al, 2019Pharr et al, 2014; grounded theory (Mendez-Luck et al, 2016); and textual analysis (Abdugafurova et al, 2017) studies. The contexts of socialization for these studies highlight caregivers' embeddedness within religious belief systems (Muslim, Christian) or purportedly collective cultural groups or locations (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Indigenous Canadian communities, all-Black towns and migrant Latinx communities in the United States), where members' identities and practices derive primarily from their connection to the wider group.…”

“…Role acculturation included 19 studies representing socialization as implicit and intergenerationally-transmitted. These were case studies (Au et al, 2012; Bryant & Lim, 2012; Chan et al, 2012; Hsueh et al, 2008; Mendez-Luck et al, 2017; Nance et al, 2018; Sasat, 1998; Wallhagen & Yamamoto-Mitani, 2006; Wu, 2009); ethnographies (Crosato et al, 2007; Gerdner et al, 2007; Holroyd, 2001: Jenike, 2002; McAuley, 2001; Sánchez-Ayéndez, 1998); phenomenological analyses (Faronbi et al, 2019 Pharr et al, 2014); grounded theory (Mendez-Luck et al, 2016); and textual analysis (Abdugafurova et al, 2017) studies.…”

The “Reckoning Point” as a Marker for Formal Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Mexican American Families

“…Yet Hispanic/Latinos at the end of life experience significant health disparities compared with non-Hispanic Whites, and cultural values greatly impact Hispanic/Latino care preferences, including shared decision-making (Carrion & Nedjat-Haiem, 2013; Fischer, Cervantes, Fink, & Kutner, 2015; Kelley, Wenger, & Sarkisian, 2010; Ko, Lee, Ramirez, Martinez, & Lopez, 2016; Kwak & Haley, 2005). Moreover, little extant research reflects the changing demographics of advanced serious illness or complex and multiple chronic conditions (Nance, May, Padilla, Nava, & Pantoja, 2015), uses adequate numbers of Hispanics in study sample to make meaningful generalization possible (e.g., Goff et al, 2015), or uses outcomes or measures that allow for comparisons across studies (Evans & Ume, 2012; NINR, 2013). Our research team is unaware of any longitudinal studies in the MA population that explore formal PEOLC, address changes in their social support over time (Phillips & Crist, 2008), or even recognize their widespread informal care of chronically ill, older family members as PEOLC, despite the compelling need for attention to the life-course and disease trajectory.…”