Alone in Paradise: Exploring the Intersections of Gender, Ethnicity, Single Motherhood, Social Class, and Immigration

Abstract

There is a paucity of research that is centred on cross-cultural transitioning for single mothers who immigrate to Canada. Focusing on the intersections of gender, ethnicity, social class, single motherhood, and immigration increases the understanding of challenges affecting single, immigrant mothers. As part of a qualitative description study, we examined the complex experiences of immigrant women who had navigated cross-cultural transitions and single motherhood through the lens of their intersecting cultural identities and social locations. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit single, immigrant mothers from multiple counselling agencies in a western Canadian city. Content analysis of six semi-structured interviews elucidated the women’s experience experiences of gender and mothering discourses within various social contexts, the impact of intersectionality on their acculturation processes in Canada, their relationships with their children, and the challenges of economic and psychosocial acculturation. One overarching theme that was related to the contrasts between the women’s former world and new world formed a lens through which they made meaning of their lived experiences. Implications for counselling and social services are provided.

Resettlement Divorce: The Hidden Costs of Family Separation During Refugee Resettlement

“…Women who completed resettlement divorces resettled not only as refugees but also as single parents and single female heads of household; a category known to encounter multiple intersections of discrimination and inequality (Grant and Guerin 2019; Lam et al 2020; Liegghio and Caragata 2016; Wiegers and Chunn 2015). Resettlement divorce is a consequence of the ways in which the multitude of laws and restrictions make up resettlement structure everyday life and ultimately shape women’s migration trajectories.…”

“…The work on immigrant single mothers and its potential contribution to an emerging body of research on refugee motherhood and single refugee mother migration is especially promising. Aside from the difficulties of living up to good or ideal mother discourses, socially constructed stereotypes of single motherhood and family structure also present barriers for single, immigrant mothers (Lam, Collins, and Wong 2020:56; Liegghio and Caragata 2016; Wiegers and Chunn 2015). Additionally, marriage, separation, and divorce may be complicated by geography, cultural practices, and legal status, as immigrants must negotiate partnerships in different national contexts (Dreby 2015a; Foner 2009; Menjívar 2016).…”

“…Additionally, marriage, separation, and divorce may be complicated by geography, cultural practices, and legal status, as immigrants must negotiate partnerships in different national contexts (Dreby 2015a;Foner 2009;Menjívar 2016). As for the context of immigration to and resettlement in North America, despite increases in the divorce rate, there are still well-documented prejudices against single mothers (Lam et al 2020). Immigrant parents and families face difficult decisions on who migrates and when and face a mixture of positive and negative outcomes for those decisions as they relate to economics as well as emotional and social well-being for themselves and their children; an issue refugees also contend with.…”

Exploring Resilience with Families: National Report for Belgium

“…It was noticeable that some lone mothers from migrant backgrounds seemed to be trapped between the cultural expectations of their country of origin and their country of residence (Lam et al 2020). Depending on their educational background, skill set and language capabilities, in the majority of the cases, they had limited labour market opportunities.…”