Latino Immigrant Parents in Canada: Experiences and Adjustment to raising Children in the Absence of the Extended Family

• Author / Creator

  Ansion, Mariel

• The Latino population in Canada has been increasing during the past decade accounting for 11% of newcomers in 2011. One of the core values in Latino culture is familism, the family is the main source of support and has an important role in childrearing. This qualitative study focuses on the parenting experiences of Latinos in the absence of their extended family. Five couples from diverse backgrounds (Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile) and immigration status (permanent resident, refugee, temporary foreign worker, and student visa) were included in the sample. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results showed that participants experienced feelings of loss, fear and increased responsibility after migration. However, families not only overcame the challenges but also focused on the “silver lining” such as increased mother and father involvement, increased family time, and closer relationships within the nuclear family. Implications for cross-cultural counseling are discussed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Immigrant parents
  • Qualitative research
  • Acculturation
  • Family
  • Latino Immigrants
  • Cross-cultural counselling
  • Adaptations
  • Latino values
  • Latinos
  • Latino parents
  • Counseling
  • Parenting
  • Immigrants
  • Latino immigrat parents
  • Culturally competent counselling
  • Social support network
  • Latino culture

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Education

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3938Q

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.