Shifting Traditional Family Values: The Perception and Display of Familism Among Chinese Seniors in the Greater Toronto Area

Introduction

Familism has been conceptualized as a structural phenomenon, normative force and cultural condition among several racialized communities including Chinese. Familism, including family support, familial closeness, familial honour, and self-subjugation, functions to provide collective economic and emotional support that place family members above individual concerns. Previous studies among Chinese seniors have found that international migration was involved in the process of reconstructing cultural values (Sun, 2014). For example, Chinese cultural values, such as familism, may be weakened during the process of modernization and assimilation. However, the influence of international migration on cultural beliefs among Chinese seniors in Western societies is understudied. This study aims to understand the perception and display of familism among Chinese seniors living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Methods

We gathered data through semi-structured focus groups to understand participants’ perception and display of familism. To recruit Chinese immigrants with diverse backgrounds, (e.g. those from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan), we employed purposive sampling and partnered with three community-based organizations. Participants were eligible to participate if they were 1) older than 65 years old, 2) living in the GTA, and 3) culturally Chinese. Participants were arranged into different focus groups according to their language preferences (Mandarin or Cantonese). Thematic analysis was applied to the data. All transcripts were redacted and uploaded into the software ATLAS.ti.

Results

Seven focus groups (n = 46) were conducted in two settlement service settings and one geriatric care setting with participants from different places of origin (Mainland China = 14, Hong Kong = 12, and Taiwan = 14). More than half of the participants were female (57%) and living with their spouses and children/parents (63%). The duration of stay in Canada since their first arrival ranged from 4 to 49 years, with a mean of 22 years. Analysis revealed that participants experienced a selective shift from traditional familial beliefs to individualistic inclinations. Family closeness played a prominent role at early stages of immigration, when they provided a significant amount of emotional and financial support to their children and grandchildren. However, family closeness led to seniors’ delayed acculturation and prolonged conflicts with other family members, which weakened familism in practice and facilitated adjustment toward individualism, such as moving out from their children’s houses or living alone. Even so, a certain level of filial piety was still expected by our participants. We also found that different historical and political contexts across Chinese communities result in different perceptions of familism.

Conclusion

Our findings show that, under immigration and modernization, Chinese seniors have experienced a partial shift of traditional familial beliefs to individualistic values. With these values shifting, our participants enacted their dual cultural beliefs in various ways. Intra-group variation, mainly based on immigrants’ places of origin and length of residency in Canada, call for tailored culturally-appropriate programs and policies to support Chinese seniors’ settlement, community engagement, acculturation, and family life. Seniors and their families will benefit from interventions and services which aim at promoting family harmony and community support.