ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the concept of home as a set of relationships. As a social and cultural space, home entails a set of relationships, such as relationships with family including intergenerational relationships, relationships with friends in social networks, and relationship with others in the neighbourhood. It is common that older Chinese migrants live in the same house as their adult children and oftentimes grandchildren; it is also common to see older Chinese choose to live in ethnic enclaves where they are close to friends and neighbours of the same ethnic background. It is through these family and social relationships that older Chinese migrants develop social and cultural insidedness, which refers to a person’s integration into the social and cultural environment through everyday interactions with people and the environment. Drawing on empirical data from interviews with older Chinese participants and the photographs they supplied, this chapter illustrates how older Chinese migrants build a sense of home in Australia through maintaining family and social relationships as well as demonstrates how the social and cultural aspects of home give them a sense of identity and belonging in Australia. The chapter highlights that intergenerational relationships, social networks both in China and in Australia, and participation in community and social activities play a pivotal role in enhancing well-being of older Chinese migrants ageing in a foreign land.
