Abstract
Non-voluntary migration has been demonstrated to have an impact on family relationships as a result of children acculturating to the host country faster than their parents. Studies have reported on immigrant parents’ perceptions of their parenting in host countries. However, less is known about how both children and parents view and make sense of their relationships in new contexts. This exploratory qualitative study aims to capture the dialectical processes in parent-child relationships among Somali families in Sweden. Data were collected using focus group discussions with youth (n = 47) and their parents (n = 33). The data were analysed using a thematic analysis. Two themes, each with three themes of their own, were identified from the analysis: finding a balance between hierarchical and egalitarian relationships and sharing of spaces. Youth and parents described different factors, including contextual changes, generational gaps, peer pressure and lack of a father figures, as affecting their relationships with each other and sometimes creating conflicts between them. Both perceived themselves as active agents in contributing to family life after migrating to Sweden. In general, the youth expressed their emotional needs, the motivations desired from their parents and their desire to be equally treated as sons and daughters. Overall, this study demonstrates that there is a need to offer immigrant families culturally tailored parenting support programmes, thereby strengthening parent-child relationships.
Highlights
More than two-thirds were born in Somalia, and one-third were born in Sweden but have two Somali-born parents (Statistics Sweden, 2018)
Expressed, “They [Somali parents] know only how to shout at the child; they say to do that and that, the child pretends to obey just to satisfy the parents” (FGD1, female youth (FY) 1). Those who had lived in Sweden for a short period only, argued that the authoritarian way of parenting could be useful for some youth and that Somali parents want what is best for their children: “But it is in our interest when parents are shouting at us because if we are at home using our mobile phones all the time, boys are playing videogames, so no one does their homework, but if the parents shout at us and take the mobile phones from us, we take the books” (FGD1, FY 3)
Neither the youth nor the parents talked about their current relationship, except in 1 of the youth focus group discussions (FGDs), in which they described their current relationships with their parents and how they saw their parents as role models
Summary
Journal of Child and Family Studies (2021) 30:1752–1762 attention and behaviour-externalisation problems in children (Osman et al, 2019; Osman et al, 2017a, 2017b; Renzaho & Vignjevic, 2011). By examining the interview reports of Somali youth and parents, we can gain knowledge about the nature of the dialectical processes in parent-child relationships, knowledge that can be used to support parents’ and children’s acculturation processes. Somalia has a traditional society, characterised by its collectivistic orientation and extended families, with children valued for both economic and emotional dependencies. In Somali culture, extended family and social connectedness provide support in child-rearing and the maintenance of family values (Heger Boyle & Ali, 2010).
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