Module 2: Diversity in Aging

Question 1

Define ethnicity according to McGoldrick

Answer 1

a powerful influence in determining identity. A sense of belonging and of historical continuity is a basic psychological need.

Question 2

How does Shibutani and Kwan define an ethnic group?

Answer 2

those who conceive of themselves as alike by virtue of their common ancestry, real or fictious, who are so regarded by others

Question 3

What are the basic assumptions that ethnic-sensitive practice includes?

Answer 3

that both individual and collective histories have bearing on problem generation and solutions

Question 4

What is culture?

Answer 4

shared values, traditions, norms, customs, arts, history, folklore, and institutions of a group of people (Novak et al, 2018)

Question 5

What are factors that influence culture?

Answer 5

age, gender, geography, socioecon. status, education attainment, individual experiences, place of birth, religion, length of residency in Canada

Question 6

What is filial piety (according to Lai, 2010)?

Answer 6

obligation of the adult children to their aging parents and not to bring any dishonor to one’s parents, obeying one’s wishes, respecting their ancestors

Question 7

What are other factors related to ethnicity and older adults?

Answer 7

-population dynamics of a group
-geographic closeness of a group (can they pool resources easily)?
-degree of assimilation (how efficiently members use resources)
-time of immigration (no old-age security for elderly living in country less than 10 years)

Question 8

What are examples of your subculture defining your culture?

Answer 8

-indigenous subculture
-racial/ethnic subculture
-religious culture
-the homeless
-aging with a disability

Question 9

what does it mean to be culturally competent?

Answer 9

to be aware and recognize someone else’s own culture to avoid the undue influence from your own cultural background.

Question 10

Define visible minority

Answer 10

non-European in origin and/or not white in skin tone
- Canada’s official definition excludes indigenous population

Question 11

What is the multiple jeopardy theory?

Answer 11

hypothesis that there is a compounding of disadvantages associated with age, race, ethnicity, and gender

Question 12

What is the buffering theory?

Answer 12

culture that values seniors and provides meaningful roles for them tends to protect them to a degree from losses and social devaluation in later life

Question 13

What is the life course perspective?

Answer 13

idea that life unfolds from birth to death in a social, cultural, and historical context; looks at impact of social institutions, historical periods and events, personal biography, resources on minority older person, etc.

Question 14

What is the difference between acculturation and enculturation?

Answer 14

acculturation refers to participation in mainstream Canadian culture whereas enculturation refers to participation in a heritage culture

Question 15

What is stressed in individualism?

Answer 15

personal independence, privacy, self fulfillment

Question 16

What is role emptying/role reversal?

Answer 16

instead of the adult children and grandchildren bring dependent on the senior, the senior becomes dependent on the children and grandchildren

Question 17

What is an example of role reversal?

Answer 17

Instead of children and grandchildren caring for aging family members, seniors are often expected to babysit and do household chores
- often isolated from social supports and resources they would have back home

Question 18

What is a minority group (in Canada)?

Answer 18

ethnocultural groups that have not originated in northern and western European countries

Question 19

define gentrification

Answer 19

in-migration into older urban neighborhoods by new (often wealthy residents) that tends to drive up property values and displace former residents