Civic Engagement Among Older Chinese Internet Users.
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Transcript of Civic Engagement Among Older Chinese Internet Users.
Civic Engagement AmongOlder Chinese Internet
Users
KIMBERLY SAZAKIMICHAEL NGUYEN
GAIL FRANCISCARMEN HARRISON
SOCIAL AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Definition:
Connection and participation
SOCIAL/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROMOTES: Better health
Increased sense of worth
Generativity through engagement
Decreased Loneliness /Isolation
SOCIAL/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROMOTES: Social networks, support
Physical and Cognitive Activity
Regular structured activities
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND OLDER CHINESE Impact of technology on elderly
understudied
Click icon to add picture
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND THE INTERNET
METHODS
RESEARCH SITE
The OldKids of Shanghai, China
Learned and taught by older adults.
Classes usually lead to social clubs
Shanghai statistics
PARTICIPANTS
33 members of one OldKids class
All 33 members were retired
Not random, but voluntary self-selection
PROCEDURE AND ANALYSIS
2 Separate Interviews Conducted.
Topics were varied.
Questions were altered as a result.
Data analysis based on grounded theory.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Feeding the “Volunteer Machine”
Strong need to help others.
Active participation with others.
SOCIAL CLUBS FORMED
Initially, clubs were extensions of classroom.
Became extensions of the neighborhood
Organization increased participation.
Interaction with government officials
DISCUSSION
EFFECTS OF OLDER CHINESE’S CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Starting & managing computer salons
Lobbying for resources to establish salons
Dramatic growth of Internet adoption in China
Led to better online information sharing & interaction
INTERNET EFFECTS ON AN OFFLINE COMMUNITY
Previous research studies of the internet
Internet facilitates community involvement
Click icon to add picture
INTERNET & THE GOVERNMENT
Political Participation
Civic Engagement
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Historical & Political Context
Inclusion of “computer clubs” as a form of civil engagement
CONCLUSION
Older Chinese are overcoming fears
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
AND
IMPLICATIONS
THIS STUDY
Limited to internet users in Shanghai
Future studies should include:
Less urbanized areas
Civic engagement not related to the internet
OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH:
Include other nations
Focus on the type of civic engagement
How to market this type of activity
How to get seniors involved
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE:
Future social engagement of seniors
Give seniors a chance to expand their horizons
Facilitating to lower income bracket
REFERENCES:
Bo, X. (2008). Civic Engagement Among Older Chinese Internet Users. Journal of Applied Gerontology. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://jag.sagepub.com.mcc1.library.csulb.edu/cgi/reprint/27/4/424ntology, 27(4), 424-445.