‘It’s like a double-edged sword’: understanding Confucianism’s role in activity participation among first-generation older Chinese migrants in the Netherlands and Belgium

While activity participation in later life has attracted considerable attention from policymakers and scholars, indoor outdoor engagement among older Chinese migrants Europe is understudied. Using in-depth interviews with 21 the Netherlands seven Belgium, this study first to explore migrants’ experiences perspective of Confucianism, cornerstone culture. More specifically, impact four acknowledged principles Confucianism are considered: hierarchical relationships, family system, benevolence emphasis on education. The findings show that, like a double-edged sword, these have positive negative effects participation. Hierarchical relationships promote formal organisational participation, yet concurrently dividing community into smaller subgroups endangering solidarity within community. With regard which emphasizes intergenerational responsibility obligation, Confucianist prioritise taking care their grandchildren, resulting less time participate activities. Benevolence, third principle restrains political while encouraging them attend meetings where food shared. Lastly, education, self-cultivation an important aspect, helps overcome feelings loneliness makes prefer self-learning above learning settings (e.g. language learning) organised by government. article ends policy recommendations how increase