A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Elder Care and End-of-Life Traditions

QUESTION

To prepare, review the resources provided this week, such as those from Chen et al. (2016), Reed (2015), and Woodthorpe and Rumble (2016). Examine the traditional elder care practices within your own culture and a global culture of your choosing. Consider how each group approaches concepts such as elder care, filial piety, and the social beliefs surrounding death and dying.

BY DAY 4

Post a comparison of cross-cultural traditions related to elder care and end-of-life. Your comparison should include the following:

• Identify your chosen culture, including any relevant geographic, language, or religious characteristics.
• Describe how your chosen culture approaches elder care, death, and dying, including specific examples from your research.
• How does this culture’s approaches compare to the “standard practice” in the United States. What social beliefs and policies might account for the difference?
• Explain how the chosen culture’s traditions and beliefs toward end-of-life care are similar or different than the standard American traditions. Be sure to provide supportive examples from this week’s Resources.

Arnett, J. J., & Jensen, L. A. (2019). Human development: A cultural approach (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Chapter 13, “Death and Afterlife Beliefs” (pp. 574-606)

Chen, W.-W., Wu, C.-W., & Yeh, K.-H. (2016). How parenting and filial piety influence happiness, parent-child relationships and quality of family life in Taiwanese adult childrenLinks to an external site.. Journal of Family Studies, 22(1), 80-96. doi:10.1080/13229400.2015.1027154

Lee, B. C. (2015). Brittany Maynard’s memory is helping us achieve death with dignityLinks to an external site.. Time.com, N.PAG.

Lee, B. C. (2014). Oregon’s experience with aid in dying: Findings from the death with dignity laboratoryLinks to an external site.. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1330(1), 94- 100. doi:10.1111/nyas.12486

Mcmanus, R. (2012). Culture, death and dying with dignityLinks to an external site.. Health Sociology Review, 21(4), 370-372.

Woodthorpe, K., & Rumble, H. (2016). Funerals and families: Locating death as a relational issueLinks to an external site.. British Journal of Sociology, 67(2), 242-259. doi:10.1111/1468- 4446.12190

Death with Dignity. (n.d.). Death with Dignity FAQsLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.deathwithdignity.org/faqs/

Reed, C. (2015). Dutch nursing home offers rent-free housing to studentsLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/dutch-retirement-home-offers-rent-free-housing-students-one-condition/

ANSWER

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Elder Care and End-of-Life Traditions

Elder care and end-of-life practices vary significantly across cultures, reflecting the diverse beliefs, values, and social structures that shape societies. In this post, I will compare the approaches of traditional Chinese culture, with a focus on filial piety, and the United States’ standard practice in elder care and end-of-life. The examination of these practices will shed light on the intricate interplay between cultural norms, social beliefs, and policies that influence how societies care for their elderly and address the process of death and dying.

Traditional Chinese Culture: Chosen Culture: Traditional Chinese culture, characterized by strong Confucian values and practices that emphasize filial piety and ancestral veneration.

Approach to Elder Care, Death, and Dying: In traditional Chinese culture, filial piety, the deep respect and devotion children owe to their parents, underpins the approach to elder care. It is a moral obligation for adult children to provide physical, emotional, and financial support to their aging parents. Multi-generational households are common, reflecting the importance of keeping elders close to their families. End-of-life rituals, such as elaborate funeral ceremonies and ancestral worship, honor the deceased and ensure their well-being in the afterlife.

Comparison with Standard American Practice: The United States’ approach to elder care and end-of-life tends to be less communal and more individualistic. Standard American practice often involves assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospice care. While some families prioritize staying close to their elders, individualism and personal autonomy can result in seniors choosing independent living arrangements or end-of-life decisions, such as the Death with Dignity movement.

Social Beliefs and Policies Influencing Differences: Cultural differences in elder care and end-of-life practices are deeply rooted in historical and philosophical perspectives. Traditional Chinese practices reflect Confucian values that emphasize family unity and hierarchical relationships. In contrast, American practices are influenced by notions of personal choice, autonomy, and modern healthcare systems. Moreover, social policies, economic factors, and legal regulations play a significant role in shaping how elder care and end-of-life issues are approached in both cultures.

Similarities and Differences: Both traditional Chinese and American cultures exhibit respect for their elders, albeit through different mechanisms. While traditional Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on caregiving within the family, the United States allows for a range of options, including formal care facilities and individual choices. Furthermore, the rituals surrounding death and dying in traditional Chinese culture and the end-of-life movements in the United States both highlight the significance of maintaining dignity and honoring personal choices.

In conclusion, the comparison of elder care and end-of-life practices in traditional Chinese culture and standard American practice reveals the dynamic interplay between cultural values, social beliefs, and policies. While traditional Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on filial piety and family unity, the United States’ approach emphasizes individual autonomy and diverse care options. Understanding these cross-cultural differences is essential to fostering empathy, respecting diverse values, and ensuring dignified care for the elderly and those nearing the end of life.