First-generation circular migrants involved in the upbringing of their grandchildren: the case of Turkish immigrants in Germany

Abstract

Following retirement, older immigrants increasingly tend to engage in circular migration. This back-and-forth movement introduces a variety of challenges affecting the nature of grandparenthood as well as grandparental involvement in the upbringing of grandchildren. For circular migrant grandparents, maintaining intergenerational relationships requires them to overcome not only geographic distances, but also linguistic and cultural differences. In families with circular migrant grandparents, intergenerational conflict often springs from disparate generational exposure to acculturation processes, producing divergent aspirations within the first and second generations regarding the upbringing of the third generation. This study explores how first-generation Turkish circular migrant grandparents attempt to raise grandchildren who reside in Germany by implementing ‘cultural and instrumental transfers’. This study undertakes a qualitative approach: semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of first-generation Turkish circular migrant grandparents (N = 40). The analysis finds that child-care assistance is characterised by intergenerational conflict – rather than solidarity or altruistic support – between the first and second generations. Moreover, through transnational arranged marriages, as a cultural transfer, andinter vivosgifts, as an instrumental transfer, grandparents encourage their grandchildren to return to Turkey permanently.

The Role of Parent‐Child Relationships and Filial Expectations in Loneliness Among Older Turkish Migrants

“…Our findings thus challenge previous studies assuming that "good" relationships always reduce loneliness, given that there was no association found between several aspects of solidarity in parent-child relationships and loneliness. As for the conflict thesis, qualitative studies showed that some Turkish migrants have conflicts in the relationship with their children, due to filial and cultural expectations (Tezcan, 2018(Tezcan, , 2019, which may increase feelings of loneliness. However, we found that filial expectations had no independent effect on loneliness, suggesting that expectations themselves are not necessarily a risk for loneliness.…”

“…In the context of migration, older adults might experience conflicts with their children when they perceive their children as adapting to the norms of the country of immigration (Baykara-Krumme & Fokkema, 2019;Tezcan, 2018). In qualitative research, older Turkish migrants in Germany reported disappointment in their relationships with their children (Tezcan, 2018(Tezcan, , 2019. For instance, "during the interviews, [older Turkish migrants] often characterised their children as disrespectful, Germanised, and assimilated" (Tezcan, 2018, p. 88).…”

Return Migration Intentions Driven by Parental Concerns and the Value of Children

“…Instead of importing a spouse from Turkey, the strategy that parents plan to employ is to locate a potential spouse in Turkey. In this way, transnational arranged marriages gain a new form, whereby the children of second generation are exported from Germany to Turkey (Tezcan 2021). The challenges associated with marrying a local co-ethnic spouse, importing a spouse from Turkey, intermarriage, and cohabitation constitute this particular parental concern and encourage parents to return to Turkey.…”

Türkiye'de Göç Üzerine Yapılmış Lisansüstü Tezler Üzerine Bir İnceleme: 1967-2018

“…From 60s to 80s, Turkey experienced international migration as a source country that sent thousands of workers to Europe, then to Central Asia (Martin, 1991;Kirisci, 2003;Van Mol and De Valk, 2016). When it comes to 90s and 2000s, Turkey started to experience circular migration as a result of long-term migration of labor force to Europe between 1960-80 (Tezcan, 2019). Also, Turkey received minor migration waves from the former USSR countries.…”