Elderly Chinese people are hoping to have stronger connections with younger generations. "We feel lonely and hopeless. We need to find a sense of belonging," an older Chinese woman said.
By Jui Ting Yu
04/23/10
While young Chinese people are tied up with their busy schedules, elderly Chinese people are hoping to connect with younger generations.
Kenny Lo, a young hair designer who has been working in Chinatown for more than 10 years, said of elderly Chinese people that "their lives here are as boring as in a prison." Lo also admitted that elderly Chinese people don't have much to do, except gambling in casinos or staying at home and doing nothing.
Lo added that, "I've been working so hard. I'm too busy to spend much time on parents or grandparents. I don't need to spend time getting together. They know I love them. That is enough."
In fact, elderly Chinese people do have fuller lives because organizations in Chinatown offer activities for them to participate in. However, they still need more family connections from the younger generation.
Because of language barriers, elderly Chinese are excluded from social activities that require English proficiency, said Jia Tung Jiang, the Activity Coordinator at The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center.
A 2000 Boston Redevelopment Authority report indicated that 80 percent of Chinatown residents who are 65 or over don't speak English as their native language and nearly 90 percent of them speak English not well or not at all. Jiang said that as a result, elderly Chinese have gotten used to being isolated, living in their small social circles in Chinatown.
"Family support is really what elderly Chinese people need," Jiang said. She also stated that elderly Chinese people want to have closer relationships with family members of younger generations. However, even during the Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival, the festivals when Chinese people are supposed to get together to celebrate, young Chinese people in the U.S. have to work.
Jiang, a mother of one of these hard-working Chinese immigrants said of U.S. culture, "It's a very competitive society. Young Chinese people have to be so devoted to their jobs or they will be fired." For this reason, elderly Chinese people living in the U.S. don't receive much attention from younger generations.
Even for young Chinese who are students, they still have to work hard for their futures. Dave Cheng, an Emerson College student said that he has been very busy with school and internship. Cheng explained that he and his elderly family members have good relationships, but don't bond with each other much.
Jiang said that with the lack of company from young generations, "we [elderly Chinese people] feel lonely and hopeless. We need to find a sense of belonging." The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center offers activities for elderly Chinese, including choir, Tai Chi, dancing clubs and walking groups. Elderly Chinese people gather at the center and spend mornings doing group activities. After lunch, they do other activities, such as playing pool or Chinese chess.
"Elderly Chinese can find friends and entertainment here and not feel isolated or lonely," Jiang said.
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England runs Yuanji Dance Club, which has more than 100 members; most of them are over 65 years old. Kim Sit, 72, the President of Boston Yuanji Dance Club said, "Yuanji dancing may be beneficial in treating urinary incontinence, especially for old people."
Some elderly Chinese people don't participate in the center's activities but get together through having the same hobby.
Wong Ngna, 71, a member of Boston Yuanji Dance Club said that "by joining the dancing club, I have made many friends and improved my health."
On nice days, elderly Chinese also play Chinese chess around the Chinatown Gate, located at the intersection of Beach Street and Surface Road. Chinese chess is played between two players. However, around 5 Chinese viewers stand alongside the two players. They give their opinions on the match despite the old Chinese saying, "a real gentleman shall remain silent while observing a chess match," written on the side of the chess board.
"Even when we are just watching the match it is still better than staying at home staring blankly,"Ming Cheng, a Chinese chess player said.
Jiang said that maintaining family connections is part of Chinese culture. However, the value has been decreased because of the different lifestyle in the U.S. Elderly Chinese still hope they can be better understood and cared about by their young family members.
"We [elderly Chinese people] are happy to join activities together, but we would be happier if we had a chance to make closer relationships with younger family members," Jiang said.
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