Cultural and Demographic Changes and Their Effects Upon the Traditional Grandparent Role for Chinese Elders

Relationship Between Productive Activities, Family Relations, and Aging Well for Elders in China

“…In today's China, because of its rapid modernization and family mobility, an aging individual can no longer assume that he or she will automatically age into the same social role as did his or her parents or grandparents (Mjelde-Mossey, 2007). Ample evidence shows that the traditional practice of filial piety through honoring and obeying elders is on the decline (Chow, 1999;Xingwu, 1991;Zimmer, 2005), but some evidence shows that younger generations still continue to provide financial support and caregiving for their elders (Bian, Logan, & Bian, 1998;Lee & Xiao, 1998).…”

The Role of Volunteering in an Era of Cultural Transition: Can It Provide a Role Identity for Older People from Asian Cultures?

“…A number of international studies [45] suggest that being a grandparent may be a marker of social ageing and particularly significant for those from different cultural backgrounds. As Mjelde-Mossey [46] suggests in the Chinese context, old age is synonymous with increased value, position and status within the family.…”

“…The growth of interest in volunteering can perhaps be seen as a result of the erosion of traditional cultural roles due to increased immigration to, and contact with Western culture [48]. As Mjelde-Mossey [46] has observed, Chinese elders who migrate to non-Western societies may encounter significant challenges to cultural traditions, which accelerates cultural change. For Asian elders residing in their native countries, cultural change is hastened by rapid population growth, an influx of migrants [49], and the migration of children to other countries or cities [50].…”

“…Older Asian women have traditionally acted as caregivers and teachers of cultural values, while older men have occupied positions as leaders of the family. When these positions of significance are lost, through cultural transition, older people experience reduced self-worth, marginalisation and feelings of irrelevance, both to their families and within society, a loss of identity, networks, purpose and meaning, and a lack of certainty that the younger generation will honour and obey their wishes [46,48,54]. This is particularly emphasised in older women, as there are few other opportunities for females to experience social significance [46].…”

“…Further, countries such as Japan are said to have a strong volunteer ethic derived from Confucian concepts of community, and volunteers are seen as fulfilling their social duty [58]. However, there is a contradiction in that it is also expected that the individual will acquiesce to the preferences of the primary group, the family, and their self worth is dependent on their defined role as a contributing family member [46]. The expectation is thus that older people will give primarily to their family.…”