Is Death Taboo for Older Chinese Immigrants?

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Gerontology
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• Scholarly literature often portrays death as a taboo subject within Chinese culture.
• This perception may overlook the nuances of how different demographics within the Chinese community approach discussions about mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the assumption that death is a taboo topic for Chinese individuals.
• To explore the willingness of older Chinese immigrants to discuss death and related end-of-life issues.

Main Methods:

• Conducted seven focus groups in the Greater Toronto Area in 2017.
• Recruited older Chinese immigrants as participants to discuss their views on death.

Main Results:

• The majority of older Chinese immigrant participants discussed death freely, using direct terms or euphemisms.
• Topics included end-of-life care, medical assistance in dying, and death preparation.
• A minority were reluctant, possibly due to anxiety, discomfort, or word choice, not necessarily a cultural taboo.

Conclusions:

• The notion of death being a cultural taboo for Chinese people may be a myth, particularly among older immigrants.
• Open discussion about death is more prevalent than previously assumed in this demographic.
• Further research can explore variations across different age groups and acculturation levels.