Older parents and filial support obligations: a comparison of family solidarity norms between native and immigrant populations in Italy

Abstract

Although older migrants in Southern Europe are increasing in number, relatively little attention has been paid to their care needs and resources. The availability of informal care is an important determinant of wellbeing in later life and norms regulating filial obligations have an important role in affecting the quality and quantity of support received. Using data from a qualitative survey conducted in Italy, this article sheds light on the social norms regulating filial obligations towards older parents among natives and three groups of immigrants: Maghrebis, Chinese and Filipinos. The results indicate a number of commonalities between the four different groups considered, such as: the principle of delayed reciprocity at the basis of filial support obligations; a gender bias in attributing the most psychologically, physically and time-demanding caring obligations to adult daughters and daughters-in-law; and a preference for intergenerational residential autonomy shared by Italian, Filipinos and, to a lesser extent, Maghrebi respondents. At the same time, numerous differences emerge between natives and immigrants, and between immigrant groups. The most significant differences are observed regarding: the possibility of resorting to a paid care-giver, which is more common among Italians and, to a lesser extent, Filipino respondents; and a stronger gender bias among the Chinese and Maghrebi groups, i.e. they attribute the majority of personal care responsibilities to daughters and daughters-in-law.

Self‐care of patients with multiple chronic conditions and their caregivers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study

“…The protective role assumed by caregivers towards patients in our study can be explained by the strong family bond that characterises Italian culture, in which adult children feel an obligation to take care of their elderly parents (Albertini & Mantovani, 2021). Moreover, Italy is characterised by a high level of intergenerational co‐residence between adult children and older parents: adult children live with their parents till they get married and older parents move in with their children when they become frail and need assistance (Albertini, 2016).…”

“…Reported effects on health of COVID-19 pandemic Theme Subthemes Codes clinicians when necessary, and family physicians who guaranteed continuity of care.The protective role assumed by caregivers towards patients in our study can be explained by the strong family bond that characterises Italian culture, in which adult children feel an obligation to take care of their elderly parents(Albertini & Mantovani, 2021).Moreover, Italy is characterised by a high level of intergenerational co-residence between adult children and older parents: adult children live with their parents till they get married and older parents move in with their children when they become frail and need assistance(Albertini, 2016). Co-residence with patients can lead to greater involvement of caregivers-adult children or spouses-in supporting their family members in their self-care.…”

A Situation-Specific Theory of End-of-Life Communication in Nursing Homes

“…Our findings also highlighted the impact of social obligations such as a sense of filial duty on attitudes and involvement in decisionmaking at the end of life. Italian adult children felt a responsibility to care and advocate for their relative's care preferences, since parents were the primary caretakers with whom children developed their first life-experiences of trust, security, and affection [55]. Finally, taboos about death and dying hindered end-of-life communication and were responsible for poor knowledge of care preferences.…”

Changing dynamics of caregiving: a meta-ethnography study of informal caregivers’ experiences with older immigrant family members in Europe

“…Europe has experienced significant flows of refugees and immigrants from non-European countries since the late 2000s [1]. Though many immigrants are young adults, the number of older immigrants is increasing [1,2]. As people age, they have more significant healthcare needs than the general population [3][4][5].…”

“…In addition, relatively few older people with an immigrant background live in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes [1,15] and many prefer to be cared for by their family members [1,[16][17][18]. Furthermore, the capacity of family members to assume caregiving roles is often shaped by cultural norms, filial obligations [2,18,19], and gender roles [16,20,21].…”