Impact of Migration on African American Family Development and Relationships

Abstract

This article examines the short-and long-term influences of African American migration on the development and functioning of African American families and family relationships. Using existing research and the results from an ethnographic study of a large, African American, extended family, this article confirms the findings of previous studies and begins to examine the meaning and definition of contemporary types of migration. The study suggests that family members who have “migrated” with respect to socioeconomic status have many of the same issues as those who have migrated with respect to physical distance.