Cross-cultural Adaptation Strategies of South Asian Family-sponsored Spouses

• Author / Creator

  Yousaf, Taooz

• South Asians in Canada are increasingly using the Family Class immigration category to sponsor spouses from their home countries. This qualitative study examined the steps family-sponsored spouses and their sponsors or family members have taken to facilitate their linguistic, economic, social, and cultural integration in Canada. Second, the role cultural community and religious organizations play in facilitating the adaptation of these individuals was explored. Five sponsored spouses from India and Pakistan who had been living in Canada for up to five years were interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results highlighted that participants who received their Canadian spouse's support had positive adaptation experiences compared to those who did not receive support. Participants took active steps to learn English, Canadian culture, and used community social networks and organizations to adjust to, learn about, and become independent in Canada. Implications for families, education, and government policy are discussed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Culture
  • Social
  • Indian
  • Language
  • Settlements
  • Family Class
  • Ethnography
  • Pakistani
  • Family sponsorship
  • South Asian
  • Adaptations
  • Cross-cultural
  • Integration
  • Canada
  • Support systems
  • Adjustment
  • Sponsored Spouses
  • Thematic analysis
  • Economy
  • Immigration

• Graduation date

  Spring 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Education

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3V960

• 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.