Understanding the experience of older Chinese women whose socio-economic status changed after migration to Canada.

Qi Mao

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14656431

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of four elderly Chinese immigrant women in Toronto. Using a combination of the socialist feminist theory and an anti-oppressive theory as the framework, this study analyzes how these women’s “dual role”- domestic labour and waged labour and the state pension policies cause them to live in poverty. The findings of this study indicate that these women lack power and are oppressed in almost every interaction that they have within the public sphere - the labour market and the private sphere – the home. Therefore, their poverty is far beyond their personal control. It is strongly associated with social structure injustice based on gender, class, race, immigrant status, age, and state policies. The strategies developed by these women to deal with the oppressive environment and the challenges that they encounter enable them to regain a sense of comfort and connection so that they are empowered and are not feeling alone.

Highlights

This study explores the lived experiences of four elderly Chinese immigrant women in Toronto
Socialist feminist and anti-oppressive theories Using socialist feminism and anti-oppressive theoretical lens, this research aims to recognize the various elements of power and oppression which influence recent elderly Chinese immigrant women’s socio-economic status; in addition to understanding how the influences impact the women’s lived experience in Canada, socialist feminism approaches reach beyond radical feminism emphasising patriarchy and Marxism focusing on capitalism, it “attempts to explain gender inequality by combining insights from both radical feminism and Marxism” (Naiman, 2008, p. 336)
The use of socialist feminism and anti-oppressive approaches acknowledges that the deterioration of the economic status of elderly Chinese immigrant women and their poverty is constructed by social and economic injustice based on gender, class, and race as well as the state policy (Hamilton, 1996)

Summary

Introduction

This study explores the lived experiences of four elderly Chinese immigrant women in Toronto. This research attempts to explore and understand the meaning of the lived experience of four elderly Chinese immigrant women who were experiencing the change of their socio-economic status and living in poverty.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion