Aging and ethnic identity: a refutation of the double-jeopardy theory

Ethnic identity has been commonly stereotyped in the gerontological literature as a disability for the elderly, placing them in so-called double jeopardy. However, new knowledge and changing attitudes in American society have resulted in a far more positive attitude toward the role of cultural pluralism. Ethnographic field research strongly suggests that ethnic affiliation can proffer the elderly a spectrum of psychological, social, and cultural resources not generally available to them in the larger society. For case managers with largely ethnic client populations, understanding the dynamics of ethnicity can enhance their ability to meet client needs successfully with resources from both within and outside the client's culture.