Parenting Practices of African Immigrants in Destination Countries: A Qualitative Research Synthesis

Salami, Bukola; Hirani, Shela Akbar Ali; Meherali, Salima; Amodu, Oluwakemi; Chambers, Thane

doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2017.04.016

Cited by 36 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…[4, 10, 21, 22]), all participants in this study reported problems with communication. Schweitzer et al [22] found that 70% of Burmese refugees reported limited language proficiency of the new country is a serious issue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Additionally, refugees need to navigate through healthcare services in a new country [10, 21, 23]. Many participants also reported this as a challenge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many participants also reported this as a challenge. People who are refugees require services that respond effectively to their mental health needs [21, 22]. Participants of this study also expressed that there are limited locations where they can seek help.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Refugee single mothers are living in a continuous dilemma, experiencing inner conflict and struggles associated with mothering practices [21]. To overcome acculturation challenges, refugee mothers need to empower themselves, acknowledging tradition, and become transformative in the new culture.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Single mothering as experienced by Burundian refugees in Australia: a qualitative inquiry

2017

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BackgroundRefugee mothers have fled from their homeland to escape persecutions with their children only to find other threats to their well-being in the new country. Building on previous research, it is known that being a new immigrant is challenging and requires adaptation. The adaptation process, known as acculturation, may not be successful leading to psychological distress. It is also known that a generation gap can occur when children acculturate faster than their parents. What was lacking was understanding about the experiences of single refugee mothers.MethodsInterpretative phenomenological study was undertaken to explore the lived experiences of eight Burundian refugee single mothers in Australia. Data were collected by in-depth interviews. Each interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsFindings revealed three themes. First theme ‘Traditional mothering practices of Burundian culture’ illustrated mothering strategies as practiced prior to their arrival in Australia including mothering with sufficient social support, strong position of parents, and regular use of physical disciplining. Second theme ‘Challenges identified after arrival to new country’ revealed that mothers felt their children acculturated faster than themselves which led to intergenerational gap. This has also led participants to live in a continuous dilemma, experiencing inner conflicts and struggles associated with their mothering practices, especially when mothers had arrived with a lack of knowledge relating to acceptable mothering practices in a new culture. Final theme, ‘Reforming family life in Australia’ highlighted the decisions made by single refugee mothers which is to embrace both new and original cultures, leading to successful acculturation. However, lack of appropriate knowledge of acceptable mothering practices led to involvement of legal authorities who threatening to remove children from the mother’s care. This has led mothers feeling change of power from ‘mother to child, ‘to child to mother’, raises concerns for family wellbeing.ConclusionsA need for parenting information when entering a new country including education about any legal obligations for parents such as a Child Protection Act will assist successful acculturation. As nurses are likely to encounter refugee single mothers, they are well placed to provide support and education to new refugee single mothers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Additionally, refugees need to navigate through healthcare services in a new country [10, 21, 23]. Many participants also reported this as a challenge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Single mothering as experienced by Burundian refugees in Australia: a qualitative inquiry

2017

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“…Global definitions around the concept of a child are influencing traditional values and beliefs within indigenous societies and modifying established structures that are the foundation of being and identity (Jenkins, ). Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) is not immune to the global changes that are impacting views and the ever changing role of children (Mtetwa & Gwanzura, ; Salami, Hirani, Meherali, Amodu, & Chambers, ). These changes are hindering sub‐Saharan African social systems from effectively preserving their traditional beliefs and values, which define children (Deng & Marlowe, ; Rombo & Lutomia, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The concept of a child within sub‐Saharan African migrant homes: Reconciling culture and child rights

Mugadza

Stout

Akombi

et al. 2019

Child & Family Social Work

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As international migration increases, the Australian socio-cultural and political context in which sub-Saharan African migrant families are settling is causing tension between traditional sub-Saharan African migrant definitions of child and childhood experiences and host nation definitions particularly when compared with the child protection system. This paper seeks to explore and highlight the fundamental values and differences that determine perceptions and treatment of children within traditional sub-Saharan African communities. Using a qualitative design, this study was influenced by acculturation theory. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (a) culture and the sub-Saharan African child, (b) moulding good children, (c) family functioning and relationships, and (d) host context: perceptions of Australian mainstream parenting. The study found that in order to successfully make decisions that are in the best interest of sub-Saharan African migrant children that come to the attention of the child protection system, discussions about children rights can only yield good outcomes when the child's socio-cultural environment is considered.

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Parenting Black Children in White Spaces

Gatwiri

Anderson

2022

Afrodiasporic Identities in Australia

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Parenting Practices of African Immigrants in Destination Countries: A Qualitative Research Synthesis

Cited by 36 publications

References 32 publications

Single mothering as experienced by Burundian refugees in Australia: a qualitative inquiry

Single mothering as experienced by Burundian refugees in Australia: a qualitative inquiry

The concept of a child within sub‐Saharan African migrant homes: Reconciling culture and child rights

Parenting Black Children in White Spaces

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