Filial Caregivers; Diasporic Chinese Compared with Homeland and Hostland Caregivers

Abstract

This paper examines the distinctiveness and similarities of diasporic Chinese Canadian caregivers to older adults compared with Hong Kong Chinese and Caucasian Canadian caregivers. Particular interest lies in whether filial responsibility, actual caregiving behaviours, health and a variety of structural characteristics cluster in ways that suggest these three groups of filial caregivers are distinctive. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews. The findings suggest that the caregivers participating in this study cluster into types that roughly approximate their original cultural groupings. Interestingly, however, the diasporic or immigrant Chinese appear more similar to homeland (Hong Kong) than hostland (in this instance Caucasian) Canadian caregivers - all diasporic Chinese were originally, or their ancestors were, from Hong Kong. Chinese Canadians are not necessarily in the middle in terms of caregiving behaviours, but rather show variability depending on the behaviour examined. In addition, these findings confirm past research that Western culture does not have clear and explicit norms of filial responsibility to the same extent as does Chinese culture.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Filial Responsibility protocol for use in Brazil

“…Filial responsibility can be conceptualized as a social and cultural norm and measured through the attitudes and behavior of adult children to care for and support their parents in this process (1)(2) . As a social norm, filial responsibility, in addition to the expectation that children should support their elderly parents, reflects a behavior of obligations that define the social role of adult children in relation to the care of their parents during the aging process (3) .…”

“…As a social norm, filial responsibility, in addition to the expectation that children should support their elderly parents, reflects a behavior of obligations that define the social role of adult children in relation to the care of their parents during the aging process (3) . On the other hand, filial responsibility can also be understood as the right of parents to receive support and care from their children during the aging process (1) .…”

“…As a social norm, filial responsibility, in addition to the expectation that children should support their elderly parents, reflects a behavior of obligations that define the social role of adult children in relation to the care of their parents during the aging process (3) . On the other hand, filial responsibility can also be understood as the right of parents to receive support and care from their children during the aging process (1) .In the various societies, the aging process and care for elderly parents are influenced by culture. In developed countries, especially in Anglo-Saxon societies, the values of individualism and independence are deeply rooted and to a certain extent reduce family obligations of the children to their elderly parents, relegating the care to a responsibility of the State (4) .…”

“…In Latin society, when the state fails, the family assumes (1) . On the other hand, Asian society stands out for its teachings of filial piety, which provide for the respect and care of elderly parents (1) .In Brazil, the Federal Constitution stipulates the parents' duty to assist, raise and educate their minor children; on the other hand, grown children have a duty to help and support their parents in old age, poverty or illness. It also stresses the responsibility of society and the State, together with the family, to support the elderly, preferably in the home (5) .…”

“…These include: increasing individualization, migration of young people to cities in search of work, smaller families, and increase in the number of women entering the formal labor market, thereby resulting in fewer people available to care for elderly individuals when needed (4) . In order to understand the social changes and their meaning in the families, the responsibility of the children in the care of the elderly parents has been the subject of investigations (1)(2) .Based on research that developed and applied a research protocol to analyze filial responsibility in other cultures (2) , and through a partnership between Brazilian and Canadian researchers, this study is justified insofar as it adds to the study and has enabled the adaptation of a research protocol for use in Brazil. In this way, it contributes to the development of investigations in different contexts, promoting the integration of scientific information between research nuclei, researchers and their universities.…”