Superu has just released its latest Families and Whānau Status Report, which explores the wellbeing of New Zealand’s families, including Asian families.

This year’s research focuses on ethnic differences in how our families are faring and how different cultures define ‘family’.

Clare Ward, Superu’s chief executive, says that this research is important because families are the building blocks of our society.

"Families are the most significant socialising influence in our lives, so their wellbeing is important," says Ms Ward. "Our findings have implications for social development, housing, education, health and economic development."

Findings of particular interest to Asian families

Our wellbeing indicators suggest that:

-Two-parent Asian families with younger children tend to be more vulnerable than similar families in relation to economic security, housing, and hours of work and pay. They are more likely to experience discrimination and to feel uneasy about expressing their identities. There is a potential risk of alienation and social isolation for these families, who may also face challenges in fostering a sense of belonging for their children.

-Single-parent Asian families with younger children face financial stresses and are less likely to have family and community connections, however they are better placed than similar families for health and education and, therefore, potentially taking advantage of employment opportunities.

-Single-parent Asian families with adult children are, like similar European and Mäori families, doing relatively well economically but may have poor health outcomes and weaker connections to extended families.

-Younger Asian couples (both aged under 50 years) tend to have high housing costs and to live in less well-off neighbourhoods when compared to similar families nationally. They also feel less able to express their identities which may have implications for their sense of social inclusion in the future.

-Older Asian couples (one or both aged over 50 years) tend to be less financially secure when compared to similar families nationally. They are less likely to have adequate incomes or live in affordable housing. 

They also tend to have lower levels of extended family and community engagement. This could result in older Asian couples having insufficient or scarce resources in later life.

Ms Ward says that these findings reinforce the need for policies that include a focus on economic security, housing and fostering a sense of social inclusion.

Our research also looked at how different cultures describe ‘family’ and how family functions, such as providing care and support and managing family resources, are interpreted.

"Non-western cultures tend to focus more on the wants and needs of the group, and relationships and obligations between family members," says Ms Ward.

"These differences need to be explored further when developing policies and programmes for families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

"This body of research will help social sector agencies make better decisions to improve the lives of New Zealand’s families and our communities," says Ms Ward.

ENDS