Mantelzorg en etniciteit: etnische verschillen in de zorgattitude, zorgbereidheid en conflicthantering van mantelzorgers

This research starts from the observation that migrant informal caregivers in the Netherlands have to deal with two forms of social change: an increased appeal for active citizenship in the form of informal care, and changing care attitudes among younger generations of ethnic minority groups who are accustomed to the Dutch welfare state. This thesis investigates ethnic differences in citizens’ care attitudes, willingness to provide informal care, and conflict management. It is based on three (quantitative and qualitative) studies among Turkish, Suryoye and native Dutch citizens and informal caregivers. The results show that migrant citizens´ attitudes are more in line with the active citizenship regime than are the attitudes of native Dutch: while the first expect care from both the informal network, the government and professionals, the latter prefer care provided by the government and professionals. Migrant informal caregivers feel, more than do native Dutch caregivers, that their family members expect them to give care even when the demand should increase. In the daily practice of informal care however, there seem to be more similarities than differences between migrants and native Dutch. Within migrant communities, traditional views on care are being questioned by younger generations. Just like native Dutch families, migrant families often negotiate the division of tasks, while recognizing professional caregivers and the government as potential sources for care. The risk of overburdening depends more on the quality of family ties than on ethnic background.