Research Seminar - Negotiating balance of cultures among Chinese Australians to facilitate ageing well

Negotiating balance of cultures among Chinese Australians to facilitate ageing well

Presented by: A/Prof Shuang Liu

Date: Friday 29 April 2022
Time: 12–1pm
Location: Online via Zoom 

Abstract

For older people of migrant background, life in their settlement country, which they call home, is always imbued with heritage and settlement cultures. This paper reports a study that investigates the processes through which older Chinese Australians negotiate a balance between heritage and settlement cultures in Australia. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 18 older China-born Chinese Australians, most of whom immigrated to Australia for the sake of joining the family of their adult children in Australia. Thematic analysis identified three ways by which older Chinese Australians achieve a balance between cultures: adhering to Chinese food while incorporating western influence; preserving Chinese traditions while adjusting to Australian culture; and maintaining Chinese family relations while embracing change in traditional practice. These findings highlight the importance of cultural continuity in contributing to older migrants’ well-being. The paper argues that the continuity of heritage culture and identity can facilitate older migrants’ link to the Australian culture and enhance their well-being.

Presenter

Shuang Liu is an associate professor in the School of Communication and Arts at UQ. She is an internationally recognised intercultural communication expert, with a special research focus on migration and ageing. Shuang works closely with community service providers to translate her research into policy and practice relevant knowledge to enable older Australians from diverse cultural backgrounds to age well in a foreign land.