Care in practice: negotiations regarding care for the elderly in multigenerational Arab Muslim families in Denmark

Abstract

Recent studies conclude that ethnic minority families in Denmark tend to be dismissive of senior housing and municipal homecare services for elderly family members. A large proportion of Muslim minority families in Denmark attach great importance to caring for the elderly as a tradition and prefer to take care of their own elderly family members at home. Nevertheless, the fact that morality, incentives, and obligations in relation to care for the elderly may be legitimized and/or contested with reference to cultural traditions and Islam has not received much attention in current research. In this article, drawing on material from ongoing ethnographic fieldwork among Arab Muslim families in Denmark, I discuss how cultural and religious backgrounds may determine and influence perceptions and behavior regarding care for the elderly. By observing and engaging in the everyday life of an Arab Muslim family, I explore how caring for elderly people with health problems at home raises specific questions about obligations and triggers negotiations across genders and generations. I argue that besides kinship and ethnicity, it is equally important to consider religiosity in an attempt to learn more about how Arab Muslims care for their elderly family members.

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

“…A few caregiver participants, who migrated to Europe with their parents in early childhood, asserted that they will be less dependent on their children in their old age [ 45 , 47 ], and said the younger generation (who were born and raised in Europe) may not be so dedicated to the caring norms espoused by older family members [ 47 ]. The younger generations’ perceptions of caregiving were found to be less influenced by the older adults’ definition of ideal caregiving, and they described it as a sense of duty [ 41 , 44 , 49 ]. One participant aged 23 with Palestinian background and living in Denmark who contributes (along with her father and other siblings) to the care of her grandmother said, “ She (grandmother) says: are you here to take care of me or to do your own stuff?…”

“…Unfortunately, my cousins have accustomed her to ask them to do whatever she wants them to do. To be honest, I do not enjoy her company, but I feel like it is my duty” [ 44 ]. As such, younger generations were found to have more leeway from the home country’s caregiving perspective and therefore had more flexibility in choosing alternatives to providing informal care [ 41 , 44 , 45 ].…”

“…Many caregivers discussed the heavy workload attached to caregiving [ 41 , 43 , 44 , 46 ], where they hardly got time for themselves or other family members [ 47 , 48 ]. Some complained about limited mobility and felt restricted in doing things or going places with their children.…”

Prevelance of depression and anxiety with their effect on quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients

“…Regarding the Environmental domain, we found that aging (increase in age) is positively correlated with the domain. This could be attributed to the spiritual practices and religious beliefs of Arab Muslim families which encourage them to provide support to elderly and make them perceive caring for elderly family members as filial piety and a Family obligation 33 .…”

Needs Analysis of Problem-Based Learning Models in Boarding School: A Preliminary Research

“…The condition of Islamic boarding schools allows for an academic atmosphere because Kiai (teachers) and students (santri) are part of a parenting pattern capable of developing broad-minded and skilled individuals [66]. Pesantren also plays a role in helping people from the lower classes enjoy education and can learn to become successful people in their lives [67].…”