Gender Differences in Caregiving: A Case in Chinese Canadian Caregivers

ABSTRACT

This study examines the gender differences in Chinese-Canadian family caregivers providing care to elderly Chinese care receivers. A random sample of 339 Chinese-Canadian caregivers for elderly care receivers completed a telephone survey. Most of the Chinese family care-givers were females. No major gender differences were reported in the amount and types of caregiving tasks. The level of caregiving burden and predictors were generally similar for both gender groups. Contrary to common belief that sons and daughters-in-law are the key family caregivers in the Chinese culture, the daughters played a more important role in family caregiving. In addition to providing support and services to Chinese female caregivers, strategies to enhance Chinese males' involvement in family caregiving are needed and discussed in the paper.

KEYWORDS:

• Chinese
• family caregivers
• caregiving
• immigrants
• gender role
• women