Older Asian American Women:An Overview
Older Asian American Women:An Overview
Gero-435
Andrea Chin
Gero-435
Andrea Chin
Who are Asian Americans?Who are Asian Americans?
People who identify with being Asian Indian, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong and/or other cultural groups
Speak over 100 languages and dialects Have immigrated to or have been born in or
lived in the US
People who identify with being Asian Indian, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong and/or other cultural groups
Speak over 100 languages and dialects Have immigrated to or have been born in or
lived in the US
Immigration HistoryImmigration History
Between 1980 and 1990 alone, there was a two-fold increase in the number of AA older adults.
About 455,000 (6.3%) of the AA population are age 65 or over. Of those, about 154,000 (3%) are age 75 or over.
Two main waves of immigration for this group: Migrants who arrived during the turn of the century
and their children; this particularly applies to Japanese and Filipinos
Older migrants, primarily from Southeast Asia, who entered the U.S. in the 1970's with their families.
Between 1980 and 1990 alone, there was a two-fold increase in the number of AA older adults.
About 455,000 (6.3%) of the AA population are age 65 or over. Of those, about 154,000 (3%) are age 75 or over.
Two main waves of immigration for this group: Migrants who arrived during the turn of the century
and their children; this particularly applies to Japanese and Filipinos
Older migrants, primarily from Southeast Asia, who entered the U.S. in the 1970's with their families.
History of Immigration Discrimination
History of Immigration Discrimination
AAs are the only race to have been specifically barred in immigration legislation in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 18
The Immigration Act of 1924 used national origins quotas all but halting the tide of immigration from Asia and elsewhere until it was repealed in 1965
Many of the first wave of Asian female immigrants were forced into prostitution
AAs are the only race to have been specifically barred in immigration legislation in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 18
The Immigration Act of 1924 used national origins quotas all but halting the tide of immigration from Asia and elsewhere until it was repealed in 1965
Many of the first wave of Asian female immigrants were forced into prostitution
Arrival of Asian Immigrant Women
Arrival of Asian Immigrant Women
Most of the 1st wave Asian immigrants were male laborers; high male:female ratio (except for the Japanese community) made it difficult for them to start families and make roots in the US
History of picture brides: received photos from “old country” of eligible brides to bring over to the US
WWII brides brought over many East Asian women ill-equipped to adjust to American life; many were abused by their veteran husbands
Most of the 1st wave Asian immigrants were male laborers; high male:female ratio (except for the Japanese community) made it difficult for them to start families and make roots in the US
History of picture brides: received photos from “old country” of eligible brides to bring over to the US
WWII brides brought over many East Asian women ill-equipped to adjust to American life; many were abused by their veteran husbands
Japanese American Internment Camps
Japanese American Internment Camps
Executive Order 9066: 110,00 JAs were sent to internment camps “for their own good”
Real reason: High-ranking officials believed that they weren’t loyal to the US and might spy for the enemy, despite the fact that there was no evidence and that most of those sent were American-born
Families were given short notice to relocate and lost virtually all of their property
Executive Order 9066: 110,00 JAs were sent to internment camps “for their own good”
Real reason: High-ranking officials believed that they weren’t loyal to the US and might spy for the enemy, despite the fact that there was no evidence and that most of those sent were American-born
Families were given short notice to relocate and lost virtually all of their property
Japanese American Internment Camps
Japanese American Internment Camps
Intern camps such as Manzanar were located in rural areas; interns often ill-equipped to handle the below zero temperatures in these areas
Families were crammed into "tar paper-covered barracks of simple frame construction without plumbing or cooking facilities of any kind” (1943 War Authority Report)
Documented instances of guards shooting internees who reportedly attempted to walk outside the fences
Japanese people tended to comply with the U.S. government to prove themselves loyal citizens
Intern camps such as Manzanar were located in rural areas; interns often ill-equipped to handle the below zero temperatures in these areas
Families were crammed into "tar paper-covered barracks of simple frame construction without plumbing or cooking facilities of any kind” (1943 War Authority Report)
Documented instances of guards shooting internees who reportedly attempted to walk outside the fences
Japanese people tended to comply with the U.S. government to prove themselves loyal citizens
Legacy of InternmentLegacy of Internment
Many internees experienced depression and helplessness and were too ashamed to talk about what happened afterwards
1992: public apology from the government and reparations finally made with $20,000 given to each surviving internee
Many still haven’t received their reparations How can you repay for the loss of all their
property and the shame they suffered?
Many internees experienced depression and helplessness and were too ashamed to talk about what happened afterwards
1992: public apology from the government and reparations finally made with $20,000 given to each surviving internee
Many still haven’t received their reparations How can you repay for the loss of all their
property and the shame they suffered?
California DemographicsCalifornia Demographics
AA women make up 12.4% of women 65 and older in the state of California
Nearly half are still married They have a median personal income of $9,103,
the second lowest of all racial groups 8.6% of them live in poverty. 62.2% of older AA women in California receive
social security.
AA women make up 12.4% of women 65 and older in the state of California
Nearly half are still married They have a median personal income of $9,103,
the second lowest of all racial groups 8.6% of them live in poverty. 62.2% of older AA women in California receive
social security.
National DemographicsNational Demographics
Nationally, older AA women make up 2.9% of the population.
Compared to older women of other races, they are the most likely to still be married; 48.1% of AA women who are 65 and older are.
The sex ratio is higher in the AA population compared to all other racial populations: there are 82 AA men per 100 women 65 and older.
More than 60% are concentrated in California and Hawaii. Most of the rest live either in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas or Washington (state).
Nationally, older AA women make up 2.9% of the population.
Compared to older women of other races, they are the most likely to still be married; 48.1% of AA women who are 65 and older are.
The sex ratio is higher in the AA population compared to all other racial populations: there are 82 AA men per 100 women 65 and older.
More than 60% are concentrated in California and Hawaii. Most of the rest live either in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas or Washington (state).
Religion and SpiritualityReligion and Spirituality
Many East and Southeast Asians practice Buddhism
Taoism is another common East Asian religion Significant population of Hindu Asian Indians Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims in
the world; many other Muslims from India and South Asia
Meditation and tai chi are great forms of mental and physical exercise to reduce stress and develop balance
Many East and Southeast Asians practice Buddhism
Taoism is another common East Asian religion Significant population of Hindu Asian Indians Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims in
the world; many other Muslims from India and South Asia
Meditation and tai chi are great forms of mental and physical exercise to reduce stress and develop balance
The Cultural Roles of Older AA Women
The Cultural Roles of Older AA Women
In Confucian/East Asian societies, filial piety (respect for elders) is a key value
If the eldest male has passed away, the eldest female is the leading authority figure in the family
Traditionally in Asia, households are multigenerational with younger female relatives looking after their elders
What happens if younger generations are unable/unwilling to fulfill the caregiving role?
In Confucian/East Asian societies, filial piety (respect for elders) is a key value
If the eldest male has passed away, the eldest female is the leading authority figure in the family
Traditionally in Asia, households are multigenerational with younger female relatives looking after their elders
What happens if younger generations are unable/unwilling to fulfill the caregiving role?
Health IssuesHealth Issues
Cancer and cardiovascular disease are the two leading causes of death for Asian Americans in the U.S
AA women have much lower rates of heart disease than women of other minority groups, but heart disease is still the second leading cause of death for this group.
AAs are 3 to 13 times more likely to die from liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B than Caucasians.
Cancer and cardiovascular disease are the two leading causes of death for Asian Americans in the U.S
AA women have much lower rates of heart disease than women of other minority groups, but heart disease is still the second leading cause of death for this group.
AAs are 3 to 13 times more likely to die from liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B than Caucasians.
More Health IssuesMore Health Issues
Older AA women have a high risk of osteoporosis. The average calcium intake among them is half that of Westerners. As many as 90% of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant or cannot easily digest dairy products.
AA women have low breast and cervical cancer screening rates compared to other groups of women, and lower cholesterol and blood pressure screening rates than the national average.
They have a higher prevalence of tuberculosis than all other racial and ethnic groups
Older AA women have a high risk of osteoporosis. The average calcium intake among them is half that of Westerners. As many as 90% of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant or cannot easily digest dairy products.
AA women have low breast and cervical cancer screening rates compared to other groups of women, and lower cholesterol and blood pressure screening rates than the national average.
They have a higher prevalence of tuberculosis than all other racial and ethnic groups
Mental Health IssuesMental Health Issues
AA women 65+ have the highest suicide rate of all women aged 65 and older.
Older AA women show a greater prevalence of dementia than the general population
70% of Southeast Asian refugees receiving mental health care met diagnostic criteria for PTSD
Consistently low rates of help-seeking behavior General stigma against mental illness; shame in being
“found out” for treatment More likely to describe somatic symptoms such as
fatigue, headache, poor appetite, indigestion
AA women 65+ have the highest suicide rate of all women aged 65 and older.
Older AA women show a greater prevalence of dementia than the general population
70% of Southeast Asian refugees receiving mental health care met diagnostic criteria for PTSD
Consistently low rates of help-seeking behavior General stigma against mental illness; shame in being
“found out” for treatment More likely to describe somatic symptoms such as
fatigue, headache, poor appetite, indigestion
Cultural Conceptions of Mental Illness
Cultural Conceptions of Mental Illness
Linguistic differences: no real equivalent translation of Western notion of anxiety, depression or guilt in Chinese
Cultural attribution (such as Chinese and Cambodian) of mental illness to supernatural causes; “blame the victim” phenomenon
Fatalistic conception of mental illness as retributive punishment for ancestral sins
Dementia seen as normal aging; fatalistic attitudes about dementia as an untreatable condition
Linguistic differences: no real equivalent translation of Western notion of anxiety, depression or guilt in Chinese
Cultural attribution (such as Chinese and Cambodian) of mental illness to supernatural causes; “blame the victim” phenomenon
Fatalistic conception of mental illness as retributive punishment for ancestral sins
Dementia seen as normal aging; fatalistic attitudes about dementia as an untreatable condition
Mental Health Risk FactorsMental Health Risk Factors
General stresses of immigration Weaker support network Southeast Asian refugees particularly at risk after
experiencing premigration wartime trauma Fear of loss of culture, values, status in acculturation Culturally insensitive/ignorant clinicians viewing AAs
under the model minority stereotype Model minority: assumption that AAs are well-off and so
integrated into American life that they are not in need of services; overlooks many issues within this population
General stresses of immigration Weaker support network Southeast Asian refugees particularly at risk after
experiencing premigration wartime trauma Fear of loss of culture, values, status in acculturation Culturally insensitive/ignorant clinicians viewing AAs
under the model minority stereotype Model minority: assumption that AAs are well-off and so
integrated into American life that they are not in need of services; overlooks many issues within this population
Healthcare BarriersHealthcare Barriers Older AA women less likely to use formal health care
services, such as those reimbursed under Medicare, and report poorer quality of care.
Traditional pathways to care may lead to reliance on folk medicine and alternative healers such as acupuncturists.
Many immigrants are low-income and lack insurance, and most are unaware of the options for affordable care such as sliding-scale fees.
Language barriers can be intimidating; many are unaware of their right to a medical interpreter.
Lack of familiarity with the system and fear of the system further limit access.
Older AA women less likely to use formal health care services, such as those reimbursed under Medicare, and report poorer quality of care.
Traditional pathways to care may lead to reliance on folk medicine and alternative healers such as acupuncturists.
Many immigrants are low-income and lack insurance, and most are unaware of the options for affordable care such as sliding-scale fees.
Language barriers can be intimidating; many are unaware of their right to a medical interpreter.
Lack of familiarity with the system and fear of the system further limit access.
How to Address General Issues Facing Older AA Women
How to Address General Issues Facing Older AA Women
Health: screen for Hepatitis B, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, breast cancer, dementia and depression
Multilingual service delivery: train more multilingual social workers and medical interpreters
Ask the clients how they conceptualize their issues and what resources they draw upon in their communities; integrate alternative therapies/support networks as appropriate
Health: screen for Hepatitis B, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, breast cancer, dementia and depression
Multilingual service delivery: train more multilingual social workers and medical interpreters
Ask the clients how they conceptualize their issues and what resources they draw upon in their communities; integrate alternative therapies/support networks as appropriate
How to Address the Issues, continued
How to Address the Issues, continued
Outreach workshops on how to apply for Social Security and Medicare
If they’re not citizens, work to secure citizenship so that they are eligible for social services
Get younger AAs involved in care Learn more about their immigration experience
and experience living in the US Be respectful!
Outreach workshops on how to apply for Social Security and Medicare
If they’re not citizens, work to secure citizenship so that they are eligible for social services
Get younger AAs involved in care Learn more about their immigration experience
and experience living in the US Be respectful!