Why We Do What We Do: Reflections of Educated Nigerian Immigrants on their Changing Parenting Attitudes and Practices

Onwujuba, Chinwe; Marks, Loren D.; Nesteruk, Olena

doi:10.26536/fsr.2015.20.02.02

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The people are predominantly patrilineal and patrimonial with strong power-distance relationships based on ascribed status, gender and age (Hofstede 2001). Kinspeople are treated as siblings and being part of a kinship group involves taking responsibility for one another, sharing resources as well as child-rearing responsibilities (Alber et al 2010;Onwujuba et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This perspective is highly important in relation to transition and acculturation processes for Africans migrating to western countries like Australia because there are significant systematic cross-cultural variations in psychological acculturation processes between individualistic and collectivist cultures (Kitayama and Uskul 2011;Kuo 2014). Within collectivist cultures, family relationships which underscore inter-dependence and shared responsibility, guide individual choices and this exerts a significant influence on the acculturation process (Onwujuba et al 2015;Ward and Geeraert 2016). While Sam and Berry's (2010) reference to acculturation outcomes as "strategies" is limiting in explaining the stages and outcomes of acculturation for SSA immigrants, this disparity may be explained by the ecological context in which the process occurred (Ward and Geeraert 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia

et al. 2020

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Pre-existing acculturation models have focused on individual orientation and may not be fully applicable to African migrants due to their strong connection to family. In this study, we utilised qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore how 22 migrant families from eight sub-Saharan African representative countries: Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe, who now reside in Townsville, Australia experienced the acculturation process. Data were analysed at the family unit level using the three steps of grounded theory method: open, axial and selective coding. The theory derived illustrates that the acculturation process involves two major phases (maintaining core moral values and attaining a sense of belonging) within which six categories were identified. Three of the categories were related to deeply held heritage values and beliefs (family relationships, societal expectations and cultural norms), while the other three (religious beliefs, socio-economic gains and educational values) indicated integration with the host culture. These categories constitute central concerns for the participants and demonstrate what matters to them as a family unit and not as individuals. We conclude that a selective process of “prioritising family needs” determines the acculturation strategy of sub-Saharan African migrant families, aiding the fulfilment of their migration goals, ensuring effective functioning of the family unit, and enabling them to be productive members of their local community.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia

et al. 2020

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“…In West African countries, parents emphasize respect and unquestioning obedience to adults or elders over children’s right to express themselves and voice their opinion [ 44 ]. However, immigrants from West Africa admit that although such strict discipline practices prepare children for harsh reality and teach them important moral values such as being responsible and respectful of authority, they also realize that it ‘shuts children down’ [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Tanzania, parents often employ harsh physical and emotional discipline practices and believe they do no harm to their children [ 43 ]. In collective societies, parents view their approach to child rearing as authoritarian and adult-centered as opposed to more ‘permissive’ parenting style in Western cultures that puts a child’s needs at the center [ 44 , 45 ]. For cultural and economic reasons, African parents teach their children that the needs of the family are above children’s individual desires, and children are expected to follow responsibilities set by adults such as helping with a family business a farm, or taking care of the household and younger or elder family members.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For cultural and economic reasons, African parents teach their children that the needs of the family are above children’s individual desires, and children are expected to follow responsibilities set by adults such as helping with a family business a farm, or taking care of the household and younger or elder family members. Fearful that their children may grow up lazy and disrespectful, parents believe that strict parenting practices will teach personal struggle, moral discipline, and perseverance in the face of harsh adversity [ 45 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maltreatment and Mental Health Outcomes among Ultra-Poor Children in Burkina Faso: A Latent Class Analysis

et al. 2016

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ObjectivesResearch about the mental health of children in Francophone West Africa is scarce. This paper examines the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, including exposure to violence and exploitation, and mental health outcomes among children living in ultra-poverty in rural Burkina Faso.MethodsThis paper utilizes baseline data collected from 360 children ages 10–15 and 360 of their mothers recruited from twelve impoverished villages in the Nord Region of Burkina, located near the Sahel Desert and affected by extreme food insecurity. We used a Latent Class Analysis to identify underlying patterns of maltreatment. Further, the relationships between latent classes and mental health outcomes were tested using mixed effected regression models adjusted for clustering within villages.ResultsAbout 15% of the children in the study scored above the clinical cut-off for depression, 17.8% for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 6.4% for low self-esteem. The study identified five distinct sub-groups (or classes) of children based on their exposure to adverse childhood experiences. Children with the highest exposure to violence at home, at work and in the community (Abused and Exploited class) and children not attending school and working for other households, often away from their families (External Laborer class), demonstrated highest symptoms of depression and trauma. Despite living in adverse conditions and working to assist families, the study also identified a class of children who were not exposed to any violence at home or at work (Healthy and Non-abused class). Children in this class demonstrated significantly higher self-esteem (b = 0.92, SE = 0.45, p<0.05) and lower symptoms of trauma (b = -3.90, SE = 1.52, p<0.05).ConclusionsThis study offers insight into the psychological well-being of children in the context of ultra-poverty in Burkina Faso and associated context-specific adverse childhood experiences. Identifying specific sub-groups of children with increased exposure to life stressors has implications for program developers. Study findings indicate a further need to explore the mental health consequences of traumatic experiences within the context of ultra-poverty and to develop integrated economic and psychosocial interventions that prevent or mitigate childhood adversities linked with the family-level poverty and violence in the family.

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“The Children Are Not Controllable Because They Follow Western Values” - Narratives of the Parenting Experiences of African Immigrants in Alberta, Canada

Punjani,

Okeke-Ihejirika,

Salami

et al. 2024

J Immigrant Minority Health

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Why We Do What We Do: Reflections of Educated Nigerian Immigrants on their Changing Parenting Attitudes and Practices

Cited by 9 publications

References 33 publications

Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia

Prioritising Family Needs: A Grounded Theory of Acculturation for Sub-Saharan African Migrant Families in Australia

Maltreatment and Mental Health Outcomes among Ultra-Poor Children in Burkina Faso: A Latent Class Analysis

“The Children Are Not Controllable Because They Follow Western Values” - Narratives of the Parenting Experiences of African Immigrants in Alberta, Canada

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