Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Exclusion of Older Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union to Finland: The Meaning of Intergenerational Relationships

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article discusses factors that affect the exclusion of older immigrants in Finland. The meaning of intergenerational relationships to older immigrants in an everyday life context is versatile and comprises support, commitment and expectations between generations. The second and third generations are doing their best to cope with their own everyday life and integration process while being under the pressure to meet the varied expectations of the first generation. The topic is explored using qualitative data drawn from interviews with three-generation families from the former Soviet Union. The study found that satisfying factors of everyday life, such as housing or activities offered by society and the possibility to live close to the children and grandchildren reflect the feeling of inclusion to the host society. Dissatisfying feelings such as hostile attitudes, deficient language acquisition and a longing for the former home country, people and places there, affect the feelings of social and emotional exclusion. The exclusion faced by older immigrants in the Finnish society seems to be more complicated and sensitive than is generally recognized; it is illustrated through the emotions of immigrant elders rather than through their active actions or participation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aliens Act (2004). Ministry of the Interior, Finland. Available at http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2004/en20040301.pdf (accessed 2 May 2009).

  • Annual report on immigration (2010). Ministry of the Interior, Finland. Available at http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp?article=1987&language=EN (accessed 28 August 2011).

  • Aranda, M. P., & Miranda, M. R. (1997). Hispanic aging, social support and mental health: Does acculturation make a difference? In K. Markides & M. R. Miranda (Eds.), Minorities, aging and health (pp. 271–294). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asis, M. M. B. (2008). From the life stories of Filipino women: personal and family agendas in migration. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 11, 67–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, R., & Davoudi, S. (2000). The concept of social exclusion in the European Union: context, development and possibilities. Journal of Common Market Studies, 38, 427–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Attias-Donfut, C., Tessier, P., & Wolff, F.-C. (2005). Immigrants at Retirement. Retraite et Société /Selection (pp. 5–39). Originally published in Retraite et Société. Paris, La Documentation Francaise “Les immigrés au temps de la retraite” 2005, 44: 12–47.

  • Baldassar, L. (2007). Transnational families and the provision of moral and emotional support: the relationship between truth and distance. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power, 14, 385–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barresi, C. M. (1987). Ethnic aging and the life course. In D. E. Gelfand & C. M. Barresi (Eds.), Ethnic dimensions of aging (pp. 18–34). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barry, B. (2002). Social exclusion, social isolation, and the distribution of income. In J. Hills, J. LeGrand, & D. Piachaud (Eds.), Understanding social exclusion (pp. 13–29). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauböck, R. (1996). Social and cultural integration in a civil society. In R. Bauböck, A. Heller, & A. R. Zolberg (Eds.), The challenge of diversity (pp. 67–131). Avebury: Aldershot.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakemore, K., & Boneham, M. (1994). Age, race and ethnicity: A comparative approach. Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burchardt, T. (2000). Social exclusion: concepts and evidence. In D. Gordon & P. Townsend (Eds.), Breadline Europe: The measurement of poverty (pp. 385–405). Bristol: The Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burchardt, T., LeGrand, J., & Piachaud, D. (2002). Degrees of exclusion: Developing a dynamic, multidimensional measure. In J. Hills, J. LeGrand, & D. Piachaud (Eds.), Understanding social exclusion (pp. 30–43). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burr, J. A., & Mutchler, J. E. (2003). English language skills, ethnic concentration, and household composition: older Mexican immigrants. Journal of Gerontology, 58, 83–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D. (2005). Social exclusion. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daly, K. (1992). The fit between qualitative research and characteristics of families. In J. F. Gilgun, K. Daly, & G. Handel (Eds.), Qualitative methods in family research (pp. 3–11). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dey, I. (1993). Qualitative data analysis. A user-friendly guide for social scientists. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Falicov, C. J. (2005). Emotional transnationalism and family identities. Family Process, 44, 399–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flink, T. (2008). Inkeriläisten palautukset Suomesta Neuvostoliittoon vuosina 1944–1955. Siirtolaisuus, Migration, 24, 3–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forbat, L., & Henderson, J. (2003). ”Stuck in the middle with you”: the ethics and process of qualitative research with two people in an intimate relationship. Qualitative Health Research, 13, 1453–1462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gans, D., & Silverstein, M. (2006). Norms of filial responsibility for aging parents across time and generations. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68, 961–976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, E. L.-E. (2008). “Flexible citizenship” or familial ties that bind? Singaporean transmigrants in London. International Migration, 46, 145–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobcraft, J. (2002). Social exclusion and the generations. In J. Hills, J. LeGrand, & D. Piachaud (Eds.), Understanding social exclusion (pp. 62–83). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyyppä, M., & Liikanen, H.-L. (2005). Kulttuuri ja terveys. Helsinki: Edita.

    Google Scholar 

  • Izuhara, M., & Shibata, H. (2002). Breaking the generational contract? Japanese migration and old-age care in Britain. In D. Bryceson & U. Vuorela (Eds.), The transnational family: European frontiers and global networks (pp. 155–172). Oxford: Berg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, J. S., Brown, E., Antonucci, T. C., & Daatland, S. O. (2005). Ethnic diversity in ageing, multicultural societies. In M. L. Johnson (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of age and ageing (pp. 476–481). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janesick, V. J. (2003). The choreography of qualitative research design. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Strategies of qualitative inquiry (pp. 46–79). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalbach, M. A., & Kalbach, W. E. (1995). The importance of ethnic-connectedness for Canada’s post-war immigrants. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 27, 16–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, R. (2009). Intergenerational family relations and life satisfaction among three elderly population groups in transition in the israeli multi-cultural society. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 24, 77–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kauh, T. O. (1997). Intergenerational relations: older Korean–American’s experiences. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 12, 245–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokko, W. (1997). Inkerinsuomalaisten “paluumuuton” luonne. Siirtolaisuus, Migration, 24, 16–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyntäjä, E. (1999). Muuttopaineet Venäjältä ja Virosta Suomeen- satua vai totta? Poimintoja tutkimusprojektista. Siirtolaisuus, Migration, 26, 4–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levitas, R. (2000). What is social exclusion? In D. Gordon & P. Townsed (Eds.), Breadline Europe: The measurement of poverty (pp. 357–383). Bristol: The Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levitas, R., Pantanzis, C., Patsios, D., & Townsend, P., (2000). Social exclusion in Britain. In: D. Gordon, R. Levitas, C. Pantazis, D. Patsios, S. Payne, P. Townsend, et al. (Eds.), Poverty and exclusion in Britain (pp. 54–67). Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Available at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/poverty/pse/Full%20PSE%20report%20page.htm/ (accessed 11 May 2009).

  • Liebkind, K., & Jasinskaja-Lahti, I. (2001). Syrjintäkokemusten vaikutus maahanmuuttajiin. In K. Liebkind (Ed.), Monikulttuurinen Suomi (pp. 80–89). Tampere: Tammer-Paino Oy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebkind, K., Mannila, S., Jasinskaja-Lahti, I., Jaakkola, M., Kyntäjä, E., & Reuter, A. (2004). Venäläinen, virolainen, suomalainen. Helsinki: Gaudeamus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Longino, C. F., & Warnes, A. (2005). Migration and Older people. In M. L. Johnson (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of age and ageing (pp. 538–545). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubben, J. E., & Bacerra, R. M. (1987). Social support among Black, Mexican and Chinese elderly. In D. E. Gelfand & C.-M. Barresi (Eds.), Ethnic dimensions of aging (pp. 130–144). Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukkarinen, M. (2001). Omakielisten palvelujen turvaaminen sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollossa. Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

  • Massey, D. C., Goldring, L., & Durand, J. (1994). Continuities in transnational migration: an analysis of nineteen Mexican communities. The American Journal of Sociology, 99, 1492–1533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, (2001a). http://www.vn.fi/stm/suomi/tao/julkaisut/omakieli/suomenr.htm (accessed 28 September 2010).

  • Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. (2001b). http://www.vn.fi/stm/suomi/tao/julkaisut/omakieli/romanit.htm (accessed 28 September 2010).

  • Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. (2001c). http://www.vn.fi/stm/suomi/tao/julkaisut/omakieli/saamelaiset.htm (accessed 28 September 2010).

  • Morse, J. M. (1994). “Emerging from the data” the cognitive processes of analysis in qualitative inquiry. In J. M. Morse (Ed.), Critical issues in qualitative research methods (pp. 23–43). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuendorf, K. A. (2002). The content analyses guidebook. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nevalainen, P. (1992). Inkerinmaan ja inkeriläisten vaiheet 1900- luvulla. In P. Nevalainen & H. Silvo (Eds.), Inkeri (pp. 234–299). Helsinki: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niessen, J., & Schibel, Y. (2007). Handbook on integration. European commission. Available at http://europa.eu/comm/justice-home/ (accessed 4 May 2009).

  • Nyyssönen, J. (2007). Constructing Sami ethnic identity within shifting Finnish territories: How did the land-owners become landless Sami? In M. Lamberg (Ed.), Shaping ethnic identities. Ethnic minorities in Northern and East Central European states and communities, c. 1450–2000. Helsinki: East-West Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parreñas, R. S. (2005). Long distance intimacy: class, gender and intergenerational relations between mothers and children in Filipino transnational families. Global Networks, 5, 317–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patsios, D. (2006). Pensioners, poverty and social exclusion. In C. Pantazis, D. Gordon, & R. Levitas (Eds.), Poverty and social exclusion in Britain (pp. 431–458). Bristol: The Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettigrew, T. F. (1998). Reaction toward the new minorities of Western Europe. Annual Review of Sociology, 24, 77–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plawecki, H. M. (2000). The elderly immigrant: an isolated experience. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 26, 6–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reitz, J. G., & Sklar, S. M. (1997). Culture, race and the economic assimilation of immigrants. Sociological Forum, 12, 233–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Remennic, L. (2002). Transnational community in the making: Russian–Jewish immigrants of the 1990s in Israel. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 28, 515–530.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharf, T., Phillipson, C., & Smith, A. E. (2005). Social exclusion of older people in deprived urban communities of England. European Journal of Ageing, 2, 76–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Semyonov, M., Raijman, R., & Gorodzeisky, A. (2006). The rice of anti-foreigner sentiment in European societies, 1988–2000. American Sociological Review, 71, 426–449.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. (2000). Social exclusion: Concept, application and scrutiny. Social Development Papers No.1. Office of Environment and Social Development: Asian Development Bank.

  • Settles, B. H., Zhao, J., Mancini, K. D., Rich, A., Pierre, S., & Oduor, A. (2009). Grandparents caring for their grandchildren: emerging roles and exchanges in global perspectives. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 827–848.

  • Silbereisen, R. K., & Schmitt-Rodermund, E. (2000). Adolescent immigrants` well-being: the case of ethnic immigrants in Germany. International Journal of Group Tensions, 29, 79–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skrbis, Z. (2008). Transnational families: theorising migration, emotions and belonging. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 29, 231–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Finland. (2010). http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html (accessed 5 August 2011).

  • Szelez, M. R., & Tache, I. (2008). The forms and determinants of social exclusion in the European Union: the case of Luxemburg. International Advances in Economic Research, 14, 369–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thoits, P. (1983). Multiple identities and psychological well-being. American Sociological Review, 57, 32–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Treas, J. (2009). Four myths about older adults in America’s immigrant families. The American Society on Aging, XXXII, 40–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Treas, J., & Mazumdar, S. (2004). Kinkeeping and caregiving: contributions of older people in immigrant families. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 35, 105–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vega, W., Kolody, B., Ramon, V., & Weir, J. (1991). Social networks, social support, and their relationship to depression among immigrant Mexican women. Human Organization, 50, 154–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voutilainen, P., Manninen, M., & Vaarama, M. (2003). Finland. In N. Patel (Ed.), Minority elderly care in Europe (pp. 115–131). UK: Policy Research Institute on Ageing and Ethnicity.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vullnetari, J., & King, R. (2008). ‘Does your granny eat grass?’ On mass migration, care drain and the fate of older people in rural Albania. Global Networks, 8, 139–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warnes, T. (2006). Older foreign migrants in Europe: Multiple pathways and welfare positions. In S. O. Daatland & S. Biggs (Eds.), Ageing and diversity: Multiple pathways and cultural migrations (pp. 141–156). Bristol: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warnes, A. M., Friedrich, K., Kellaher, L., & Torres, S. (2004). The diversity and welfare of older migrants in Europe. Aging and Society, 24, 307–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, J. B. (1997). Turks in the New Germany. American Anthropologist, 99, 754–769.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilding, R. (2006). Virtual intimacies: family communications across transnational borders. Global Networks, 6, 125–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilmoth, J. M., & Chen, P.-C. (2003). Immigrant status, living arrangements, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 58B, 305–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeoh, B. S. A., et al. (2002). Migrations and family relations in the Asia Pacific region. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 11, 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sari J. Heikkinen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Heikkinen, S.J. Exclusion of Older Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union to Finland: The Meaning of Intergenerational Relationships. J Cross Cult Gerontol 26, 379–395 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-011-9153-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-011-9153-y

Keywords

Navigation