Fatherhood in the Canadian Context: Perceptions and Experiences of Sudanese Refugee Men

Abstract

As they attempt to settle and adapt into Canadian society, new immigrants and/or refugees fathers face multiple stressors, some of which include underemployment or unemployment, social isolation, and changing roles within the family. Through a qualitative research involving in-depth interviews with 20 Sudanese refugee men recruited through a criterion sampling process based primarily on length of residency and age of children in Canada, this paper examines their perceptions and experiences as fathers in a large urban centre in Canada. Insights on the meaning of fatherhood, the values that guide their behaviour as fathers, their interactions with and aspirations for their children, and the challenges these men encounter as fathers in Canadian society are also provided.

Promoting male refugees’ mental health after they have been granted leave to remain (refugee status)

“…For instance in a qualitative study conducted by Este and Tachble (2009) with Sudanese refugee fathers in Canada, indicates that refugee fathers found it challenging to raise their children in the new country. This is in part due to the fact that refugee children acculturate more easily to the individualistic tendencies of their host country (Rousseau, Drapeau, & Platt, 2004); as a result, they develop attitudes and engage in behaviors that may conflict with a paternalistic culture (Deng & Marlowe, 2013).…”

How Does Migration Affect Mothers’ and Fathers’ Roles Within their Families? Reflections on some Recent Research

“…Thus, for example, Sudanese refugee fathers living in Canada stressed the importance of their roles as providers (Este and Tachble 2009). In contrast, mothers were associated with caring and nurturing roles in most cultures.…”

“…Contributors to this special issue reveal that these differences attain enhanced significance when fathers (as heads of households) immigrate from traditional cultures with their wives and children and encounter circumstances that challenge their previously respected positions in family hierarchies (Este and Tachble 2009;Qin 2009). …”

“…Indeed, the higher costs of living in the USA and Canada often make it necessary not only for fathers to work unusually long hours, perhaps at multiple manual jobs, but may also necessitate maternal employment as well. Together and separately, as Este and Tachble (2009) and Qin (2009) observe, these factors undermine the fathers' views of themselves as chief-breadwinners and heads of families, while simultaneously changing their wives' and children's perceptions of their status and success. The resultant shifts in family structure and dynamics, along with the associated stresses, can profoundly affect all the participants' adjustment, although these effects are not the focus of the contributors to this special issue.…”

“…The resultant shifts in family structure and dynamics, along with the associated stresses, can profoundly affect all the participants' adjustment, although these effects are not the focus of the contributors to this special issue. Nevertheless, several contributors provide evidence suggesting that fathers may feel the stresses of immigration more keenly than their partners do (Este and Tachble 2009;Qin 2009;and Updegraff et al 2009 for fathers who are sole-earners of the family).…”