Renegotiating Roles as Fathers and Workers: Exploring the Experiences of Migrant and Refugee Men in Australia

Abstract

Migrants represent a significant and growing proportion of Australia’s population. While there has been a surge of academic literature about the experiences of migrant women, and families more generally, less attention has been given to migrant men and their roles as fathers. As fathers have a significant impact upon their children and families’ wellbeing, it is important to understand the factors influencing their wellbeing and caregiving practices within their family units. To better understand the factors contributing to migrant men’s fathering experiences and wellbeing, the authors undertook semi-structured, in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion with 10 migrant and refugee fathers living in Darwin, Australia. We define migrant fathers as those who were born outside of Australia and had children. This exploratory study aims to explore the challenges the fathers faced securing stable employment, providing caregiving, and renegotiating their identities as fathers and workers in a new country and culture. The findings demonstrate that demographic characteristics (such as education and language), structural constraints (such as access to childcare and flexible work), and cultural expectations (such as being the breadwinner and provider) defined the way many of the fathers experienced and rationalised their role as workers and fathers. These findings confirm the importance of employment in promoting and sustaining migrant and refugee men’s wellbeing as they resettle with their families. We offer a preliminary sketch for policy makers and service providers to support migrant and refugee men’s roles and identities as fathers and workers in Australia.

COVID-19 and Policy-Induced Inequalities: Exploring How Social and Economic Exclusions Impact ‘Temporary’ Migrant Men’s Health and Wellbeing in Australia

“…It is widely known that fathers, both migrant and non-migrant, are more likely to be the breadwinners in the family [68][69][70][71], with emerging evidence indicating that many migrant and refugee families heavily rely on the male partner's income to survive [30]. Migrant and refugee fathers in Australia strongly identify as being providers for their families [30,[72][73][74]. Moreover, their sense of wellbeing and capacity for engaged fathering often hinges on fulfilling the breadwinner role [30].…”

“…Migrant and refugee fathers in Australia strongly identify as being providers for their families [30,[72][73][74]. Moreover, their sense of wellbeing and capacity for engaged fathering often hinges on fulfilling the breadwinner role [30].…”

“…While we know that COVID-19 has negatively impacted men’s health and wellbeing in a general sense, little information is available about how the health and wellbeing of migrant and refugee men’s has been impacted. Borgkvist [ 28 ], Adamson and Smith [ 29 ], and Rung and Adamson [ 30 ] note there is limited research on groups of marginalised fathers, including migrants and refugees. Internationally and in Australia, there is a critical gap in knowledge about ‘temporary’ migrant men’s mental health and wellbeing in general and in the context of COVID-19.…”

“…Considering that the social and emotional wellbeing of fathers from migrant and refugee backgrounds is strongly linked to fulfilling what they view as their cultural role as financial and figurative providers [ 30 ], there is a need to explore how certain employment and financial challenges associated with COVID-19 may affect the health and wellbeing of ‘temporary’ migrant men and their families in Australia.…”