ABSTRACT

Social cohesion and social capital are considered distinct concepts with social capital following from social cohesion. It is well established that families in the West provide care to their elderly members when the need arises. Filial responsibility is considered an aspect of the norm of familism. Despite discrimination, social exclusion and disadvantage, traditional Asian family care patterns are 'surprisingly resilient'. Among Caucasian Canadians, there is no significant correlation between either filial expectancy or filial piety and the provision of help with ADL, emotional support, or the total behaviour. Among Canadian Chinese, social cohesion does result in social capital for the parent even when controlling for other factors. The relationship with parental health varies by the type of social capital provided. It is parents with better health who receive more emotional support. Social cohesion is relevant for certain types of social capital appears to be culturally specific, supporting Edmondson's admonition that context matters.