Chinese Senior Migrants and the Globalization of Retirement

The 21st century has seen an increase in senior migration due to longevity, aging populations, and global neoliberal trends reducing state welfare. Chinese-born migrants to the U.S. are an exemplary case, with 30% being at least 60 years old. This book explores their stories, arguing that age is a mediating factor that is essential for understanding how migration is experienced. The subjects of the study are situated at the crossroads of Chinese immigrant and Chinese-American experiences, embodying ambiguities and paradoxes. They are retirees living at the social and economic margins of American society who find opportunities for meaningful retired lifestyles, and are members of a diaspora with diverse regional and ideological differences. Their stories highlight the possibilities for mutual engagement between Chinese and American ways of being and belonging in the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2020
Publisher: Stanford University Press

The 21st century has witnessed an increasing trend of seniors resorting to migration as they face new challenges to traditional retirement and old-age support. Factors such as increased longevity, demographic aging, and global neoliberal trends that reduce state welfare have contributed to this shift. A notable example is the migration of Chinese-born individuals to the United States, where a significant proportion, approximately 30 percent, of all migrants since 1990 are at least 60 years old. This book explores the experiences of these older migrants, highlighting the importance of age as a mediating factor in understanding the migration experience.

The subjects of this study are situated at the crossroads of Chinese immigrant and Chinese-American experiences, encompassing the complexities and paradoxes that often complicate common perceptions of each group. These individuals include older individuals who have waited their entire lives to migrate to the United States to reunite with their families but often encounter unexpected family conflicts upon arrival. They also include retirees living at the social and economic margins of American society who nevertheless find significant opportunities for fulfilling retired lifestyles. Additionally, they are members of a diverse diaspora that spans vast regional and ideological differences, yet their well-being is closely tied to their daily interactions within this diverse community.

Through their stories, this book showcases the myriad possibilities for mutual engagement and understanding between Chinese and American ways of being and belonging in the world. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diverse experiences and perspectives of older migrants and their contributions to both Chinese and American societies. By exploring the intersections of age, migration, and cultural identity, this book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of contemporary society and the potential for cross-cultural collaboration and understanding.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 154 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503613881