Intergenerational Voices: Exploring South Asian Multigenerational Living
| dc.contributor.advisor | Innes, Anthea | |
| dc.contributor.author | Gilani, Syeda Umniyah | |
| dc.contributor.department | Health and Aging | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-08-26T14:32:20Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-08-26T14:32:20Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The growing prevalence of multigenerational households presents unique opportunities and challenges for families. Cultural values, such as filial piety, play a crucial role in shaping these living arrangements, but there is limited research on the self-reported experiences of individuals within these households, particularly in South Asian communities. This thesis explores the lived experiences of South Asian families residing in multigenerational households in Canada, with a focus on how caregiving, faith, cultural transmission, and generational roles are negotiated within these shared spaces. Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews across three generational cohorts - young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults - this research investigates how familial responsibilities, intergenerational dynamics, and cultural values are distributed, challenged, and maintained within these households. Using a life course perspective (Hareven, 1994), the study highlights the ways in which individual transitions (e.g., caregiving, entering the workforce, aging) intersect with the family as a whole. The findings were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-stage framework for thematic analysis and four key themes were identified. Participants highlighted the emotional and logistical complexities of caregiving in multigenerational homes, the dual role of faith, and the evolving expressions of identity and autonomy across generations. Findings reveal that while multigenerational living can foster emotional support and cultural continuity, it also creates challenges related to generational power dynamics, communication styles, and uneven caregiving burdens. Policy implications underscore the need for culturally sensitive support for migrant families, particularly in navigating caregiving, housing, and integration services. This research contributes to the growing literature on multigenerational living, migration, and family dynamics by offering insights into the everyday negotiations that shape shared households across generations. | en_US |
| dc.description.degree | Master of Arts (MA) | en_US |
| dc.description.degreetype | Thesis | en_US |
| dc.description.layabstract | This research explores what it’s like for South Asian families living in multigenerational households in Canada, where grandparents, parents, and children share the same home. Through interviews with individuals across three age groups, the study looks at how families manage caregiving, pass down cultural and religious values, and navigate changing roles between generations. While living together can offer emotional support and help preserve traditions, it also brings challenges, like communication difficulties and unequal caregiving responsibilities. The study uses a life course approach to show how personal life changes, such as aging or starting work, affect and are affected by the family as a whole. The findings highlight the need for policies that better support migrant families, especially in areas like housing and caregiving. Overall, this research helps us understand both the strengths and struggles of multigenerational living from the perspective of those experiencing it firsthand. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/32227 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.title | Intergenerational Voices: Exploring South Asian Multigenerational Living | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |