Older Women and Family Care in Hong Kong: Differences in Filial Expectation and Practices

Abstract

Cultural aspects of aging have great importance on how older women and men are being treated, in particular in Asia where patriarchal practices dominate. Further, changes in the structure of the Chinese family alter this supportive function, and changes in traditional values affect the nature of the care and support provided to older women and men. This proposition was investigated by a quantitative study involving a survey of 390 older persons in Hong Kong. There are great discrepancies in informal support for older women and men. Older women are less likely to live with adult children; more likely to need financial assistance; and more likely to receive poor informal support. There is evidence that informal support for the elderly is changing in Hong Kong, and older women are being disadvantaged, experiencing insufficient and unavailability of informal support.

Older adults as caregivers in Hong Kong

“…sickness and unemployment) seemed to accentuate the significance of older persons' contributions, even though such situations were infrequent (Cheng et al 2008). In Furthermore, older women not only provide care for their husbands and assist with household chores, they often also take care of grandchildren (Lee and Kwok 2005b). The second case illustrates an experience of a caregiver juggling care for both her husband and granddaughter, with their differing needs.…”

“…Most of these studies examine the value and practice of filial piety among adults in caring for their parents (see e.g. Ng et al 2002, Chow 2004, Lee and Kwok 2005a, 2005b, Cheung and Kwan 2009). According to traditional Chinese culture, having filial children was a 'pre-requisite to ageing well' (Chong et al 2006, p. 261).…”

“…Prior research shows that spousal caregivers are the most susceptible to adverse health outcomes, such as longer episodes of illness, poorer cardiovascular health, and lower immunity (Schulz et al, cited in Gallant and Connell 1997). Besides health deterioration, other adverse effects reported in Hong Kong are poor financial situation and deprived social lives (Ngan and Cheng, cited in Lee and Kwok 2005b). In Ho et al's (2007) study, caregivers reported poorer physical and mental health as compared to non-caregivers, and female caregivers had significantly lower scores in all domains of a Quality of Life assessment compared to male caregivers.…”

“…Some may reduce their work hours and career opportunities to reconcile their work and family responsibilities, and, as a result, they are likely to have a reduced financial nest egg in their old age. It has also been found that when women are older and in need of care themselves, other family members are less likely to reciprocate (Chow 2005, Lee andKwok 2005b). In both the first and second World…”

“…As caregivers, women are 2.5 times more likely than noncaregivers to live in poverty (National Family Caregivers Association 2009). In Hong Kong and elsewhere, older women are particularly vulnerable to being institutionalized (Lee and Kwok 2005b). For Hong Kong, 1996 data showed that 5.3% of women as compared to 2.9% of men (both groups aged 60 years or over) were living in an institution (United Nations 2005).…”