‘Let us understand each other and work together in the child’s best interest’ – Exploring the narratives of newly arrived refugee parents in Sweden

On the way towards integration? From monologic to dialogic encounters in Swedish rural preschools

“…Earlier research calls for dialogic approaches and culturally sensitive practices in early childhood education (Baghdasaryan, Lampa, and Osman 2021;De Gioia 2013;Lamb 2020;Sønsthagen 2020;Tobin 2020;Van Laere, Van Houtte, and Vandenbroeck 2018). The results of this study confirm that self-reflexivity is a precondition for adopting a dialogic stance, while dialogic encounters with the newcomers at the same time facilitate culturally responsive practices.…”

“…In order to avoid misunderstandings and misguided expectations, and to facilitate reflexivity among practitioners regarding their own practices, researchers emphasize the importance of dialogue between the preschool and the migrant families (Baghdasaryan, Lampa, and Osman 2021;Conus and Fahrni 2019;De Gioia 2013;Tobin 2020;Van Laere, Van Houtte, and Vandenbroeck 2018;Van Laere and Vandenbroeck 2017). However, as dialogue is not always easily achieved, the practitioners' goal should not be to reach consensus, but should rather strive towards creating communicative spaces in which multiple meanings can be discussed and mutual understanding be achieved (Tobin 2020;Van Laere, Van Houtte, and Vandenbroeck 2018;Vandenbroeck 2009).…”

“It’s hard because it’s something new”: challenges for forcibly displaced parents upon resettlement

“…Loneliness and lack of social support can trigger acculturation differences between parent and child as parents seek solace in their traditions while children adapt and integrate into society by finding companionship amongst children their own age (Colic-Peisker et al, 2020), leaving parents concerned about children maintaining traditions as they adjust to the new culture (Rosenberg et al, 2022). Forcibly displaced parents often find themselves negotiating their cultural identity in the host country as parent and child often have differing cultural expectations such as manner of dress, respect, education and language (Baghdasaryan et al, 2021). Further changes in the parenting environment such as laws and socio-cultural practices can cause greater stress and parental adjustment issues if they are not well-communicated (Dalikeni, 2019;Knerr et al, 2013).…”

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“…The study is narrowly focused on young adult migrants living in Sweden and it is relevant to a multidimensional social resilience project that is an initiative of Lund University's 2030 agenda on research on social sustainability. Recent migrant studies conducted in Sweden cover a wide range of migrant-related issues, such as parenting practices (Wissö & Bäck-Wiklund, 2021;Baghdasaryan et al, 2021), housing (Stepanova & Romanov, 2021), education and work (Ahlgren & Rydell, 2020;Carlbaum, 2021;Messina Dahlberg et al, 2021), and integration (Eliassi, 2017;Lyck-Bowen, 2020). Though these studies cover a wide range of social issues relevant to migrants' lives in host countries, the choices of methods are limited to qualitative interviews and focus group discussions.…”