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UK: Racism and quality of life of older people

Eurekalert, May 19, 2003

UK - The impact of racism should be properly considered when attempts are made to measure the quality of life of older people among Britain's ethnic minorities, according to a report on new research sponsored by the Economic & Social Research Council.

Experience of racism was one of the clearest differences to emerge from a study of more than 200 older people led by Jabeer Butt of the REU, Britain's leading charity aimed at promoting race equality in social work and social care services for black and minority ethnic communities.

The research, which was jointly undertaken with the National Institute for Social Work Research Unit based at King's College London, calls for more work to be done on its long term effects.

While there is growing interest in quality of life and how it is judged in terms of people's expectations and factors such as health and income, until now little research has been based on the views of older people themselves. This is particularly true of older people from minority ethnic groups, says the report. Although they make up an increasing proportion of Britain's older population, they are rarely represented in significant numbers in mainstream research.

While the report highlighted the increasing diversity in people's experiences of growing older in Britain today, the area in which the clearest contrasts emerged between white older people and those from minority ethnic groups was the experience of racism.

Mr Butt said: "About half the people from minority ethnic groups said they had experienced racism – a figure which is likely to be an underestimate given a widespread reluctance to speak about the topic. By contrast, only those white people who were from a hidden minority, such as Welsh or Irish, or who had a Black partner, reported they had experienced racism."

Across all ethnic groups, the overwhelming majority of participants felt their relationships with their children and grandchildren were close. Although a small number of people from minority ethnic groups considered that their children were less willing to support their parents than they themselves had been, the majority emphasised that patterns of social support that may have been usual in their country of birth were not always possible in Britain today.

There seems to be an emerging trend for Black Caribbean and Asian older people to live in sheltered accommodation run by housing associations operated within these ethnic communities. People in this situation pointed out that it enabled them to live independently while maintaining close contact with their children.

Although many from minority ethnic groups visited their country of birth for holidays or family occasions such as weddings, the great majority saw themselves as firmly established in their local communities where they had lived for many years. They had no intentions of leaving Britain permanently.

"Older people's social lives are often presented in a very negative way, with the assumption that they are reliant on others to arrange any form of social contact. In fact, the report shows, there was a lot of give and take, with participants emphasising how they helped each other, offering company or emotional support in return for practical help, such as lifts", said Jo Moriarty of King's College London.

Although local friends and relations were an important source of support, many of those questioned, including white people, had family and friends living abroad or elsewhere in this country, with whom they kept in touch through visits, telephone calls, and sometimes e-mail.

Perhaps contrary to expectations, a high proportion of people identified religion as providing meaning and purpose to their lives. This was especially true of Black Caribbean women for whom their local church was one of their most important sources of social support.

The study also suggested an intriguing way in which Britain's older population from minority ethnic groups could play a role in countering experiences of ageism. Many participants, especially older white women, felt that they were viewed as being less capable as they grew older. While recognising some of the physical aspects of ageing, Asian and Chinese older people were more likely to point out that they had acquired greater wisdom and experience with age and that this helped them in their relationships with others.


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