“Not Having Family as One Makes It even Harder for My Kids to Learn:” Understanding Benefits of Family-Based Migration

Joanna Maulbeck ()
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Joanna Maulbeck: Concordia College

Journal of International Migration and Integration, 2022, vol. 23, issue 3, No 16, 1257-1276

Abstract: Abstract Current literature demonstrates the benefits of family-based migration and the impact that separation from family has on children. However, less is known about the specific role of extended family in shaping the development of immigrant youth. This article focuses on answering the question: How do low-income immigrants utilize extended families to aide in physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of their preschool children? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Hispanic or Asian families in a diverse urban community located outside of New York City. In addition, to build a more thorough understanding of each immigrant child, teachers were interviewed, and classroom experiences were observed for a duration of 3 months. Using this data, the article describes specific ways immigrants leverage family ties for the well-being of children. Several, for example, pooled resources in the form of time, skills, and finances to support children’s needs. Some indicated that separation from extended family related to minimal support with children’s learning. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory is utilized to highlight this intricate connection between immigration policy and educational opportunity.

Keywords: Immigration; Immigration policy; Immigration reform; Family-based migration; Chain migration; Early childhood education for immigrants; Children of immigrants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s12134-021-00887-1

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