Aging & Society: Eighth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The paper addresses caring within the Indian migrant community in Northern Ireland. The study is based on ethnographic study of the over-50s group of the Indian Community Centre in Belfast, with a particular focus on five Indian families who have resided in Northern Ireland for several decades. The global forces of modernisation, migration, demographic transition, and associated changing lifestyles, have led to a cultural shift, emphasising individual rather than collective familial interests. This cultural shift has led to changed notions of family ties, ageing, and social obligations. This study concentrates on the “sandwich generation”, aged 60-80, who are “caught in the middle” caring for both elderly parents and adult children, whilst looking ahead to receiving care themselves. The research focuses upon their perspectives, and how they are adapting to the changes that they face. The study considers the changing nature of caring, evolving cultural expectations, the modern technologies that have emerged as significant tools in online caring, and the changing inter-generational relationships which have resulted. The study shows that care cycles are constantly being re-negotiated, with less expectation of reciprocal care, and more acceptance of externally provided care. With increased resources, and less stigma involved, the migrant community are more accepting of elder-care homes. The study draws upon the concept of habitus, and in particular, of habitus transformation, to understand the ways that the sandwich generation of Indian migrants in Northern Ireland modify their ideologies and practices to cope with the new environment.