RUNNING HEAD: Aging in the context of immigration and care labour Aging in the context of immigration and care labour: The experiences of older Filipinos in Canada A thesis submitted to McGill University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Ph.D. in Social Work Ilyan Ferrer School of Social Work McGill University, Montreal JUNE 2018 © Ilyan Ferrer, 2018 Abstract This doctoral dissertation examines how the intersections of immigration, labour, and care impact the late life experiences of older Filipinos in Canada. A critical ethnography was adopted to understand the interplay of lived experiences, identities, and policies (specifically related to retirement, aging, and immigration). Extended observations and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 older people, 6 adult children, and 13 community stakeholders identified the structural barriers that impinged on everyday experiences of aging within the Filipino Canadian diaspora living in Montreal. Several themes emerged including (1) the disjuncture between discourses on immigration and migration and the ways in which older racialized newcomers are welcomed into Canadian society, (2) the intersections between immigration and retirement policies and their impact on older Filipina women engaged in domestic work, and (3) the ways in which Filipino older adults provide and receive care in intergenerational and transnational settings in response to the paucity and scarcity of formal resources. The findings of this study offer new knowledge about the impact of immigration and labour policies on the lived experiences of aging and care practices among older members of racialized and immigrant communities in the Global North generally, and within Filipino communities in Canada specifically. This study concludes by proposing key recommendations related to social work policy, practice, and research in the field of aging and immigration. Keywords: aging, Filipino Canadian diaspora, intersectional life course, intersectionality, care, labour, immigration and migration ii Résumé Cette dissertation doctorale examine de quelles manières les intersections entre l’immigration, le travail et les soins ont un impact sur la vie tardive des Philippin.e.s âgé.e.s au Canada. Une ethnographie critique fût adoptée pour comprendre la réciprocité des expériences vécues, des identités et des politiques (spécifiquement liées à la retraite, au vieillissement et à l’immigration). Des nombreuses observations et des entrevues approfondies semi-structurées avec 18 personnes âgées, 6 enfants adultes et 13 intervenant.e.s communautaires ont identifié les barrières structurelles qui empiètent sur les expériences quotidiennes de vieillissement au sein de la diaspora Philippin-Canadienne vivant à Montréal. Plusieurs thématiques ont émergé incluant (1) la rupture entre les discours sur l’immigration, la migration, ainsi que les manières dont les personnes racisées âgées sont accueillies dans la société canadienne, (2) les intersections entre l’immigration et les politiques de retraite et leurs impacts sur les femmes Philippines âgées œuvrant dans le travail domestique, et (3) les façons dont les Philippin.e.s adultes plus âgé.e.s fournissent et reçoivent des soins dans des contextes intergénérationnels et transnationaux en réponse à la pénurie et à la rareté de ressources formelles. Les résultats de cette étude offrent un nouveau savoir sur les impacts de l’immigration et des politiques de travail sur les expériences vécues du vieillissement et des pratiques de soins parmi les membres les plus âgé.e.s des communautés immigrantes racisées du Nord global en général, ainsi qu’à l’intérieur des communautés Philippines au Canada spécifiquement. Cette étude se conclut en proposant des recommandations clefs liées aux politiques, pratiques et recherches en travail social dans le domaine du vieillissement et de l’immigration. Mots Clefs : vieillissement, diaspora Philippin-Canadienne, parcours de vie intersectionnel, travail, immigration et migration iii Preface This dissertation is a manuscript-based thesis. Four chapters (3, 6, 7, 8) have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, and 9 are traditional dissertation chapters that I wrote to complete the requirements of the dissertation. Chapter 3, which provides the theoretical paradigm of this dissertation was co-authored with Amanda Grenier, Shari Brotman, and Sharon Koehn. I was primary author for this manuscript, and responsible for analyzing, writing and editing the draft and eventual publication. My co-authors contributed their suggestions and edits on the manuscript’s content and structure. Chapter 3 was published in 2017 in the Journal of Aging Studies (Ferrer, Grenier, Brotman & Koehn, 2017). The findings for this dissertation study have been developed for publications in three peer reviewed journals. Chapters 6 and 7 are sole-authored publications in the International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care (Ferrer, 2015), and the Canadian Journal on Aging (Ferrer, 2017) respectively. The final findings chapter, (Chapter 8), was a co-authored manuscript in which I was first author with Shari Brotman and Amanda Grenier acting as co- authors. I was responsible for analyzing, writing and editing the full manuscript. My co-authors contributed their suggestions and edits to content and structure. This manuscript was published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work in 2017 (Ferrer, Brotman & Grenier, 2017). All the elements of the thesis are considered original scholarship and make distinct contributions to social gerontological and social work scholarship. This degree was completed with the support of research fellowships from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Fonds de Recherche Québec - Société et Culture (FQRSC), and the Centre de Recherche et d’Expertise en Gérontologie Sociale (CREGES). iv Acknowledgements To my participants: Thank you for sharing your experiences and words of wisdom. Though our time together was brief, you allowed me to bear witness to your accomplishments, challenges, and everyday experiences. In this process you have given me the tools to be a better educator, thinker, and human being. To my supervisors, Shari and Amanda: Thank you for your feedback and mentorship. Your guidance has allowed me to flourish in times when I thought academia was not for me. Most of all, thank you for your inspiration. Thank you Adrienne, for showing me how to be a kind and compassionate scholar. Know that our conversations will always guide me. To my fellow graduate students and kindred spirits I met along the way, Edward, Kim, Jah-hon, Lena, Kai Cheng, Emily, Rosalind, Sarah, Elma, Radney, David, Patrina, Ifeyinwa, Kaylee, Shimmon, Danielle, Nandeesh, Alan, Myriam, April, Farha, Mike Loft, Trudy Blumstein, the Council for Black Aging and the countless people who have supported me through the lowest of the lows, and the highest of the highs. Your love and friendship sustained me through this journey. To my community and chosen family, Aila, Alex, Alleben, Allos, Andrew, Archie, Ate Cel, Ate Joy, Ate Joy Y., Ate Mye, Ate Yo, Ayex, Bryan, Camille, Carlo, Charlene, Chuck, Christina, Christian, Clarky, Danielle, Denise, Dolly, E.J., Fenaxiz, Fritz, George, Henry, Jassie, Joanne, Jon, Josie, Julay, Katherine, Ken, Krystle, Kuya Bhok, Kuya Manny, Lisa, Laurel, Leila, Mae, Malu, Marissa, May, Merv, Mike, Monica, Neil, Tala, Tito Bert, Tita Lucy, Tracy, Redd, Reuben, Rodney, Saturn, Shaina, Victoria, Wing, Yesse, Yuri, and the Kabataang Montreal youth: Thank you for supporting me through my studies. Most of all, thank you for standing by me and allowing me to stand with you. To the ancestors and spirits (Ria, Dags, Wyatt, and Phoenix) who have guided me in the traditional territory of Kanien'keha:ka where my journey began, and in Treaty 7 Blackfoot territory where my journey continues: I honour your presence and teachings. To my family, Chito, Avelino, Jeffrey, the Ferrer and Javier clans, and my in-laws Kaye, Joselia, Paquito, Janet, Jack, Lindsay, Stephane, and Logan: Thank you for your sacrifices and for your unconditional love. Finally, to the loves of my life, Jill and Hanan: mahal kita. You are my everything. v Dedication To future generations of the Filipino community in Canada, this dissertation is dedicated to you. Remember our history before it is forgotten. vi Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................... ii Résumé .................................................................................................................................... iii Preface ........................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... v Dedication ..................................................................................................................... vi Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................ xii List of Figures and Illustrations .................................................................................... xiii PROLOGUE ...........................................................................................................................