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Long Distance International Caregiving to Elderly Parents Left LONG DISTANCE INTERNATIONAL CAREGIVING TO ELDERLY PARENTS LEFT BEHIND: A CASE OF NIGERIAN ADULT CHILDREN IMMIGRANTS IN USA Onyekachi Okoro, BA, MBA Dissertation Prepared for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS December 2013 APPROVED: Ami Moore, Major Professor Stan Ingman, Committee Member Keith Turner, Committee Member James Swan, Committee Member Daniel Rodeheaver, Chair of the Department of Sociology Thomas Evenson, Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service Mark Wardell, Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School Okoro, Onyekachi. Long Distance International Caregiving to Elderly Parents Left Behind: A Case of Nigerian Adult Children Immigrants in USA. Doctor of Philosophy (Applied Gerontology), December 2013, 162 pp., 8 tables, 5 figures, references, 151 titles. The intent of this qualitative, grounded theory study was to understand why the Nigerian (Igbo) adult immigrants in the United States provide long distance international caregiving to their elderly parents left behind in Nigeria, the challenges they encounter, and their views on long-term service care. This study was grounded in semi-structured interviews of 20 Igbo adult immigrants residing in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolis. Analysis of the literature demonstrates a lack of existent topic on long distance international caregiving to elderly parents left behind in Nigeria. Findings show that reasons for Igbo adult children immigrants providing care to their elderly parents left behind stem from filial obligation, immigrant’s position in the family, perceived vulnerability of parents, and lack of government support. Also because of cultural expectations, the participants felt obligated to reciprocate to the care their elderly parents gave to them when they were growing up. While providing long distance international care, the participants encountered some challenges like adjusting to their new country, distance, financial constraints, being available for family procreation, issues with means of communication, and legal papers and parental adjustment to life in the U.S. This study also revealed that the participants would support the Nigerian government and private sector to provide long-term service care for the aging population. The findings led to some policy recommendations. Copyright 2013 by Onyekachi Okoro ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to acknowledge and thank God for giving me the strength and determination to complete my academic dream – PhD. I acknowledge our Lord Jesus in appreciation for the guidance of His words and the abundance of blessings, opportunities, and life lessons He provides. The Lord has blessed me beyond measure with His grace and love, a supportive family, wonderful friends, good teachers, and the personal gifts that have enabled me to experience success in my academic journey. My family that continues to inspire my life and work; my beautiful wife Golden (AruKaAkwa 1) who is loving and always there for me, is my foundation; my gratitude to her. My four beautiful daughters: Lessley Ogechi, Esther Chioma, Beverly Chinaenye, and Lovelyn Nkechinyere whom I regard as my “Angels” you encouraged me not to give up, even when my community engagements occupied most of my time. I love you and can’t thank you enough for your understanding and being there for me. You are the constants in my life, and I thank you for your encouragement and your patience, but most of all…I thank you for loving me just the way I am. As well, I have to acknowledge my late Parents and Brother (Moses Okoro) who helped me to start this academic journey. Your memories linger around. As the biblical text teaches us to “be thankful” (Col. 3:15); it is in that spirit of thankfulness that I recognize everyone that supported me during this my academic journey towards completing my doctoral degree. May this dissertation and all that I do bring glory and honor to God Almighty Amen! iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES............................................................................................. vii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Importance of the Study .......................................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .......................................................................10 Location of Nigeria ............................................................................................................10 The Igbo People .................................................................................................................12 Ethnicity .............................................................................................................................13 Nigerian Migration.............................................................................................................14 The Neoclassical Model .....................................................................................................16 The New Economics Model of Migration .........................................................................16 Roles of Elders in Africa....................................................................................................19 Elder Care ..........................................................................................................................20 Igbo Family ........................................................................................................................22 Erosion of Kinship Network ..............................................................................................25 Long Distance Caregiving .................................................................................................28 Some Motivating Factors for Providing Elder Care ..........................................................30 Filial Responsibility ...............................................................................................31 Social Exchange Theory ........................................................................................32 Attachment Theory ................................................................................................32 Challenges of Long Distance International Caregiving .........................................33 Remittances ........................................................................................................................36 Motives for Sending Remittances ..........................................................................37 Pure Altruism .........................................................................................................38 Tempered Altruism or Enlightened Self-Interest ...................................................38 Pure Self-Interest ...................................................................................................39 Factors Affecting Level of Long Distance International Caregiving/Support ...................40 Length of Time in Host Country ............................................................................40 Intent to Return to Country of Origin and Caregiving ...........................................41 iv Migrant’s Level of Income ....................................................................................42 Gender and Remittance ..........................................................................................43 Situation/Condition of Elderly Parents ..................................................................45 Presence of Other Siblings .....................................................................................46 Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................................47 Filial Obligation (Support Received) .....................................................................49 Perceived Vulnerability of Elderly Parents............................................................51 Migrant’s Position in the Family ...........................................................................51 Perceived Exchange Rate in the Country of Origin ...............................................53 Immigrant’s Willingness to Provide Care..............................................................54 Availability of Resources (Spendable Income) .....................................................54 The Care Recipients ...............................................................................................55 CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................56 Justification of Qualitative Methods ..................................................................................56 Theoretical Perceptive Grounded Theory ..........................................................................59 Recruiting Participants .......................................................................................................61 Participants’ Selection Criteria ..........................................................................................62 Exclusion Criteria ..............................................................................................................62 Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................................62
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