The Hidden Matrix: Perspectives of Youth and Their Parents on Immigration and Youth Delinquent Behavior

Abstract

Immigrant youth delinquency may be associated with developmental, familial, social, and immigration-specific factors; however, scarce studies have examined the perspectives of both parents and their children as to the reasons for involvement in delinquent behavior. This study examines the extent to which immigration-related stressors may be associated with delinquent behavior of immigrant adolescents from the Former Soviet Union in Israel, from the perspectives of both young people and their parents. In-depth interviews with 10 male delinquent immigrant mid-late adolescents, aged 16 to 21 years, and their parents (eight mothers and two fathers) were conducted ( N = 20). Phenomenological analysis highlighted the immigration experience as a hidden matrix within which dynamics associated with delinquency evolved. These dynamics involved situational factors (age, financial hardships, and social norms related to child-rearing), social factors (peer pressure and wish to be socially accepted), familial factors (stress experienced by the family, parental unavailability, and insufficient parental capabilities), and personality factors (sensation-seeking, desire for self-direction, emotion dysregulation, weak character, and inborn inclination to problematic behavior). While few participants directly address the immigration process, it can be considered the backdrop or matrix within which these factors are evolving. Implications for prevention on personal, familial, and society levels are discussed.

A Phenomenological Study of Immigrant Parents of Adolescents with Delinquent Behavior in Israel

“…In the current paper, we focus on the themes that arose that were family‐related. Additional themes can be found in Yakhnich Pounko and Walsh (2019). For example, the theme of parent–child relations was composed of the subthemes "affinity and warmth," "support," "sharing/concealing," "mistrust," "authority," and "conflict.…”

“…The current study aimed to fill a gap in the research to examine, from the perspective of immigrant parents, how they understand and make sense of their children’s involvement in delinquent behavior (occurring postimmigration). It was part of a larger study that examined immigrant children involved in delinquency and their families (Yakhnich, Pounko, & Walsh, 2019). Due to a lack in the literature in general examining the experience of parents of adolescents with criminal files, the study aimed to focus on the experience of parenting a child involved in criminal behavior, while acknowledging the intersectionality of the parents’ experience as both part of a discriminated minority and as parents stigmatized for the children’s behavior.…”

“I Don’t Want My Children to Work so Hard”: Perceptions of Parent-Child Relationships and Future Parenting Among Immigrant Young Adults

“…The aim was to locate young adults who immigrated from the FSU and Ethiopia in middle childhood. We decided not to include in the sample adults who immigrated in early childhood as they may not remember their immigration experiences (Yakhnich et al, 2019), as well as adolescents whose adaptation might have been affected by developmental changes characteristic of adolescence. We also were interested in interviewing participants who did not have children, to avoid the influence of parenting on their perception of their relations with their parents.…”

Risk, resilience and family relationships among at‐risk Ethiopian immigrant youth in Israel: A focus group investigation

“…Family relationships are powerful determinants of adolescent immigrant well‐being (Birman & Taylor‐Ritzler, 2007). Yet, while family‐centered programs may yield more lasting changes than would individually‐oriented programs (Das et al, 2016; Weine et al, 2005), when working with Ethiopian Israeli immigrant families, service providers often view the family as a source of problems rather than as a resource or simply ignore the family altogether (Yakhnich et al, 2019). Considerable resources currently are being invested in promoting Ethiopian Israeli youth's development; few of these programs, however, are family‐centered.…”