The Generation Game: Parenting and Child Outcomes in Second-Generation South Asian Immigrant Families in Britain

Abstract

Despite much research being conducted around identity and acculturation, immigrant groups are often lumped together according to ethnicity with broad policy recommendations collectively applied to them. The role of generational status is frequently ignored. This paper reveals findings from an in-depth interview and questionnaire based assessment of parenting quality and parent-child relationships, child psychological adjustment and contextual factors in 90 second-generation Indian, Pakistani and White British mothers with 5-7-year-old children living in minority dense urban areas of the UK. The analysis aimed to understand second generation parenting in more depth and to explore similarities and differences between the three British-born groups. Standardised interviews and questionnaires were used to quantitatively measure parenting and child adjustment across a number of constructs.The study found positive levels of child adjustment across all groups. Similarities were found between family types for some aspects of parenting quality. Identified differences were generally reflected between the Pakistani and White mothers, with the Indian mothers lying between the two, including child supervision and discipline, levels of religiousness and ethnic identity (all higher in the Pakistani group). The current findings relating to second-generation mothers and their children did not support the negative assumptions which are often associated with ethnic minority families. The findings also increase understanding of effective parenting processes across different ethnic groups.

Technology as a Disruptive Agent: Intergenerational Perspectives

“…Previously, studies have highlighted the role of culture in parental practises. For instance, Harwood et al (1999) reveal disparity between European American and Puerto Rican mothers parenting approaches, similar gaps are also evident between the cultural communities associated with Western and non-western cultures in the UK, where both sit on opposing ends of the construal of self (Iqbal and Golombok 2018). The focus of this study is the South Asian household, who are predominantly rooted in a collectivist culture (Triandis 1994), that strongly supports unity, togetherness, loyalty, and compliance from immediate and extended members of the family.…”

“…Therefore, while the authors acknowledge that Bradford is densely populated with British South Asians, the socio-economic challenges of Bradford, alongside the themes of technology literacy / illiteracy and potential cultural dilution of this research were considered to be of a sensitive nature by the authors. Furthermore, recruiting participants from ethnic minority groups is often difficult (Iqbal and Golombok 2018), particularly those originating from lower socioeconomic status (Nazroo, 2006). Additionally, ensuring the families were all British-born, and specifically distinguishing between second and third generation was also difficult.…”

“…As highlighted previously, individualistic values which are commonly associated with western cultures promotes relatively loose bonds with others (Zheng 2017), whilst encouraging more independent-oriented ethnotheories, emphasising selfmaximisation, assertiveness, curiosity and creativity, autonomy, and self-direction (Iqbal and Golombok 2018). Individuals from such contexts are encouraged to detach themselves from others, including close family, in order to develop their own goals, motivations, and personality, (Markus & Kitayama 1991;Triandis 1994).…”

“…The roles of parents are pivotal, as effective interventions of children's technology use can influence their sleep, school performance, and prosocial and aggressive behaviours (Gentile et al 2014). However, a recent study reveals disparity of parenting practises between White and South Asian ethnic groups in Britain (Iqbal and Golombok 2018). 'British South Asians' is a superordinate ethno-racial category, mainly used to identify people of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin (Jaspal and Cinnirella 2012).…”

“…Therefore, it is vital to examine the antecedents of parental mediation in non-Western cultures. The South Asian ethnic group is of significance in the context of UK, particularly given their strong cultural ties and their large presence in the UK resulting from two major periods of migrations to the UK (from India and Pakistan) during the 1960's and 1970's (Iqbal and Golombok 2018). According to the 2011 census analysis, after Whites, Indians were the second largest ethnic group (2.5%), closely followed by Pakistanis (2.0%) in England and Wales (Ethnicity and National Identity 2011).…”