1997/98 PCERII Funded Research Abstract
Research Title: Factors Influencing Child Rearing Practices of Recently Migrated East Indian and Chinese Women with Children from Infancy to Age Six
Research Team:
Research Domain(s): Social
In 1992 the majority of new immigrants to the City of Calgary came from Hong Kong, Philippines, and India (Samuel, 1992). People of different nationalities make a concerted effort to transmit their cherished cultural beliefs and values to their children in the new environment. From a review of the literature, it became evident that there is a lack of research addressing child-rearing practices of non-Western societies. This has resulted in the lack of understanding of the values and beliefs guiding the child-rearing practices of new immigrants of varied ethnic and cultural orientations.
The proposed research is designed to explicate factors that influence child-rearing practices of recently (up to 36 months) immigrated East Indian and Chinese women with children from infancy to 6 years.
The study will use the generic qualitative method presented by Schatzman and Strauss (1973). A minimum of 15 women from each cultural group will be recruited and data from them will be collected using semi-structured interviews.
The findings of this study will be very beneficial for all involved in assisting newly immigrated families in their transition to Canada. Increased understanding of diverse beliefs and practices will be extremely helpful in the development of a variety of social policies and programs that will facilitate the incorporation of new immigrants ways of being.