Family Life Among El Salvadorans, Guatemalans And Nicaraguans: A Comparative Study

Abstract

A qualitative study was conducted with El Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Nicaraguan families to ascertain family life changes after resettlement in Canada. Comparisons between the participants’ homeland and Canada and between the female and male participants are discussed. In total,. 44 participants were interviewed; the demographic information indicated that the majority of the participants were married with children. Women had less education than men with the latter usually working as accountants and teachers. Within the interviews, the participants were asked about their family life in their homeland and family life changes since resettlement including alterations in parenting, spousal relationships and family life in general. Family life in their homelands emphasizes traditional roles of women and men; restrictions are placed on women’s behavior while a double standard exists for the men. Since resettlement the men, in particular, note undesirable changes among the women. The latter desire an opportunity for education, employment and less restricted life. Simultaneously, the children are losing their Spanish fluency and some exhibit disinterest in their heritage. Emotional and physical abuse is not uncommon and family disintegration has occurred in some cases. Understanding family life among diverse groups such as those described here adds to the growing knowledge base of family life in a cross-cultural context.