What could be the motivations for engaging in long-distance parenting in South Asian Indian migrants?

In Western cultures, the traditional notion of the family involves the nuclear unit living under one household with parents providing primary care for their children. Some families sometimes opt for long-distance parenting on account of various reasons but what could be the motivations for engaging in long-distance parenting in a population of high income South Asian Indian migrants in the United States.
Although long-distance parenting is often depicted as a response to the crisis (e.g., economic) or other stressful life events, it is sometimes undertaken in various culturally normative situations. This study from the journal 'Psychology and Developing Societies' explores the motivations of South Asian Indian immigrant parents for sending their young children to India to live temporarily with their grandparents. This qualitative study involves in-depth interviews with first generation immigrant parents about their experiences and motivations for sending their children to India. 

Analysis of the study revealed five themes, namely: 
(a) contextual and daily challenges in caring for their children in the United States, 
(b) parents’ concern around paid group childcare, 
(c) grandparents as ideal caregivers but unable to stay in the United States, 
(d) presence of other extended network of relationships and support in India and 
(e) parents wanting their children to maintain their language and customs. 

Findings suggest culturally grounded beliefs around optimal childrearing (e.g., grandparents as ideal caregivers, presence of extended network of support in India and maintaining Indian traditions and values) and parents’ contextual needs (e.g., parents’ busy schedule around job and education) when traditional caregiving context changes due to migration to a new country. Implications for researchers are discussed.
Overall, interviews evoked themes that reflect a convergence of traditionally held notions around childcare and family and a shift in the traditional caregiving context as a result of migration. Parents’ responses reflect deeply held traditional notions of childcare, notably, the involvement of extended family, the acquisition of ‘traditional Indian culture’ and collective care. However, set against the backdrop of migrant family life, this model of child caregiving was difficult to sustain.

Register here to read full article.




Comments

  1. I have also observed this fact that majority of the people are doing job in call centers or customs care service.The main reason of this could be the lower educational requirement needed in these types of job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for your comment. Please subscribe the blog for more such updates from SAGE.

      Thanks
      Team SAGE

      Delete
  2. Thank you very much for uncovering the facts about the motivations for engaging in long-distance parenting in South Asian Indian migrants. I was writing a research paper on a similar topic and your knowledge will help me a lot. Dissertation Writing Service

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for the excellent articles share with us. Please share some other topics with me, I am a really big fan of your writing skills and I agree with this. You might be interested in t.j. maxx payment methods 

    ReplyDelete
  4. Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you for taking the time to penn down this informative article. I think I spent much time to consume this information. Checkout Gifts For High School Graduates

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have decided to be one of your daily visitors after discovering the vital information you published on your blog. Keep posting valid content like this. You might be interested in little known beaches near me 

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment