Abstract
By examining the parents/grandparents (PGP) immigration program and lived experiences of sponsored parents, my study demonstrates the embedded neoliberal friction in contemporary governmentality. I argue while the state claims to facilitate self-responsibility and self-reliance, it does not nurture the agency and enhance the autonomy and independency of the governed and foster their life, instead, by eschewing its collective responsibility, it undermines their wellbeing and chokes their life. My study debunks the misconception and stigmatized portrayal of older immigrants and reveals that their contributions are ignored and exploited. My findings reveal having a mindset/desire and ability to realize independency rather than relying on children is the key for sponsored parents to age well and have a satisfactory later life in Canada. PGP program as a governmental tool cannot grant older immigrants entrepreneurism and facilitate their self-reliance, instead, adds hardship and engenders social issues such as bad intergenerational relationship, unhealthy living arrangement, poverty, physical and mental health issues, isolation, senior mistreatment and neglect, which may cost more social resources and public funds, thus a more sustainable PGP program is recommended. On the other hand, my study reveals, although facing all kinds of challenges and hardship after immigration, sponsored parents have demonstrated their resilience by developing various strategies to deal with the difficulties in daily life and have also presented their migrant agency and resistance to the forced dependency on their sponsor children individually, in small group and through active ethnic community building.
Presenters
Ivy LiPhD Candidate, Sociology and Legal Studies, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Public Policy and Public Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
PGP Immigration Program, Challenges and Resistance, Older Immigrants Wellbeing, Canada
