Migrant Children Research Articles

Emergent Bilingual Children Love reading… if We Let Them

ABSTRACT This qualitative case study explored the shifting landscape of literacy learning and instruction in an early childhood program in an agricultural community in the U.S. Midwest. The author traces the impact of deficit thinking and English-only curriculum on the literacy education of young Spanish/English emergent bilinguals, and describes the economic, health, and linguistic inequalities lived by immigrant and migrant farmworker families in the program. Data were collected over twelve months and consisted of weekly participant and non-participant observations of classroom instruction; reading bilingual books with children; interviews with teachers and administrators; informal conversations with parents; and field-notes from teacher workshops. Through examination of the developing literacy of two emergent bi/multilingual (im)migrant children, the study shows how early childhood teachers with limited formal training created a learning environment that allowed children to demonstrate rich language and literacy abilities in two languages. The author argues that an abrupt change from a bilingual, play-based literacy curriculum to English monolingual, skills-based instruction aimed at promoting “kindergarten readiness” reduced children’s opportunities to love reading and develop biliteracy.

Analysis of Press Releases Concerning Migrant Children at Risk on the Journey to their Destination: Child Protection Social Work from the Sustainable Development Goals

La reducción de los riesgos en casos de desastres es un tema central en la agenda, la cual incluye, desde la identificación del riesgo potencial hasta la reconstrucción del área afectada. El objetivo del presente ensayo es el exponer, la naturaleza y el alcance, de las diversas estrategias de reducción de riesgos en una población de carácter migrante, ubicada en Huehuetoca, Estado de México. Se llevó a cabo una exposición descriptiva de los riesgos y amenazas de la localidad, ello en torno al transporte de niños migrantes, así como a las estrategias promovidas por las autoridades encargadas de la protección civil. Se comparan las estrategias locales de reducción de riesgos de desastres con los establecidos en los Objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Finalmente, se discuten los alcances y límites del sistema de protección civil local, así como los ejes de discusión para una agenda de la gobernanza de los riesgos en caso de desastres. Asimismo, se revisa el análisis de las notas de prensa, publicadas en diarios locales y los llamados nacionales, alusivas a niños migrantes en riesgo; todo ello en la travesía, en busca de su destino final.

Effects of parental migration on children’s schooling: a cross-sectional study of internal labour migrants in Delhi, India

ABSTRACT This paper reports how children’s educational prospects are affected when parent(s) migrate for livelihood. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, India. Six thousand one hundred sixty-eight migrant households from 189 slums and slum-like areas across Delhi were selected following cluster-random sampling. Socio-demographic details of all household members were collected from an adult family member. Analysis of descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were carried out. There were 5,698 children aged 6–14 years in these households. 23.8% of children of migrants (6–14 years) lost the opportunity to attend school. Migration status, ethnicity, residence, per capita income, and parental education were associated with children’s schooling. The study concludes that the children of poor migrants have low levels of schooling at the destination compared to the children of migrants living in their native place.

Against the Grain:International Migrants, the Children of Migrants and National Life Expectancy in Sweden, 1990-2019

International migrants and their children represent increasing shares of the populations of major host countries and have growing potential to affect estimates of national mortality. Yet, while many studies have observed mortality differences between immigrants, their children, and the majority population, few have progressed beyond this point to quantify the actual impact of these differences upon national life expectancy levels. Studies that have reveal that immigrants increasingly enhance national life expectancy, but do not progress beyond a single average generational effect. Here, using established demographic methods, we aim to quantify and unpack the impact of migrants and the children of migrants on national life expectancy in Sweden, with emphasis on potential differences by age, generations, and migration background. Going “against the grain” relative to other countries, we reveal an initial negative effect of first-generation migrants on national life expectancy levels in Sweden, followed by a gradual waning and disappearance of this effect over time. This change is attributable to the transformation in origin composition of Sweden’s migrant population from migrants born in Nordic countries (that have higher mortality than the majority population) to migrants born in non-Western countries (that have lower mortality than the majority population), particularly at working ages. For children of migrants, nearly all ages and migrant backgrounds contribute to an increasingly negative effect on national life expectancy over time. The unique and disparate mortality risks of migrants, the children of migrants, and the majority population suggest a need to monitor their mortality separately so as to maximise potential future gains in national life expectancy in Sweden.

Analysis of Press Releases Concerning Migrant Children at Risk on the Journey to their Destination: Child Protection Social Work from the Sustainable Development Goals

La reducción de los riesgos en casos de desastres es un tema central en la agenda, la cual incluye, desde la identificación del riesgo potencial hasta la reconstrucción del área afectada. El objetivo del presente ensayo es el exponer, la naturaleza y el alcance, de las diversas estrategias de reducción de riesgos en una población de carácter migrante, ubicada en Huehuetoca, Estado de México. Se llevó a cabo una exposición descriptiva de los riesgos y amenazas de la localidad, ello en torno al transporte de niños migrantes, así como a las estrategias promovidas por las autoridades encargadas de la protección civil. Se comparan las estrategias locales de reducción de riesgos de desastres con los establecidos en los Objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Finalmente, se discuten los alcances y límites del sistema de protección civil local, así como los ejes de discusión para una agenda de la gobernanza de los riesgos en caso de desastres. Asimismo, se revisa el análisis de las notas de prensa, publicadas en diarios locales y los llamados nacionales, alusivas a niños migrantes en riesgo; todo ello en la travesía, en busca de su destino final.

The Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination and Social Adaptation of Migrant Workers' Children: The Role of Alienation and Psychological Capital.

This study explores the relationship between perceived discrimination and social adaptation of migrant workers' children, as well as the mediating role of sense of alienation and the moderating role of psychological capital. A multi-stage-multi-source longitudinal study design was adopted. A total of 423 Chinese migrant workers' children (Mage=13.36, Female ratio=39.48%) were recruited, and sample data were collected at three time points for 6months. The results indicated that the interpersonal alienation played a mediating role between discriminatory perception and social adaptation. Psychological capital moderated the relationship between perceived discrimination and interpersonal alienation. Compared to participants with high psychological capital, interpersonal alienation played a stronger mediating role between perceived discrimination and social adaptation among those with low psychological capital. Perceived discrimination could reduce the level of social adaptation of migrant workers' children through interpersonal alienation. The social adaptation of migrant workers' children could be improved by improving the level of psychological capital.

A Multifaceted Intervention Designed for Chinese Migrant Families Involving Educational Philosophy, Parenting Style, and Parent-Child Relationships: A Pilot Study

This pilot study aimed to preliminarily evaluate a comprehensive intervention program addressing the unique challenges of Chinese migrant family parenting and mental health, focusing on educational philosophy, parenting styles, and parent-child relationships. Utilizing emotional communication techniques and behavioral parent training, the program spanned 21 d of family activities and online coaching for six families. Findings indicate significant improvements in negative parenting styles and parent-child relationships, enhancement of migrant children’s mental health, and overall family function enhancement. Innovatively, this online-based program provides convenient participation opportunities for migrant families, accommodating their busy schedules while addressing their unique parenting challenges.

CARIES EXPERIENCE AND SOCIAL INSERTION IN SCHOOLCHILDREN FROM AN URBAN POPULATION IN THE ECUADORIAN HIGHLANDS: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Objective: To analyze the relationship between caries experience and social insertion in 12-year-old schoolchildren from an urban population in the Ecuadorian highlands. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted in 2023 with 12-year-old students in the Bellavista parish, Cuenca, Ecuador. Caries experience was measured using the severity levels of the WHO (World Health Organization) DMFT index. At the same time, social insertion was determined through the INSOC (Social Insertion) survey. The total population included 458 data points for the caries experience evaluation phase and 422 for the social insertion phase. Pearson's chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied. Results: A percentage of 60.7% of schoolchildren had current caries. Regarding caries experience, 43.7% showed a shallow level, and 11,8% a very high level. Regarding sex, no statistically significant difference was found when comparing DMFT levels (X2, p=0.393). Regarding social insertion, schoolchildren came from the working-class and sub-salaried employee strata with 27.5% and 20.9%, respectively. No significant association was found between caries experience and social insertion in this population (X2 p=0.459). The social insertion stratum with the highest frequency of high DMFT levels was that of the children of migrants, with 27.27%. Conclusion: No significant association was found between caries experience and social insertion.

Factors of migrant children’s participation in basic medical insurance in China: an empirical study based on DEMATEL-ISM method

Factors of migrant children’s participation in basic medical insurance in China: an empirical study based on DEMATEL-ISM method

Physical and mental well-being of older adults: examining the impact of financial support from male migrant children on Indian left-behind parents

BackgroundAmid high youth out-migration, India’s older parents face severe social, economic, psychological, and health crises due to their children’s separation. However, remittances from their migrant children alleviate economic hardships, improve healthcare access, and partially compensate for their absence. So, this study examines how adult-child migration affects older parents’ physical and mental health and how remittance support helps mitigate these challenges.MethodologyThis study used the 2011 Building a Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India (BKPAI) dataset, the current study (n = 5122) employs bivariate statistics, logistic regression, and mediation analysis to address the objectives. Logistic regression determines the factors of self-rated health and depression, while mediation analysis is implied to understand the intermediate effect of financial support i.e. remittance on left-behind older adult health.ResultsThe findings indicate that approximately 43% of the study populations were left behind, meaning they have at least one migrant child. Notably, 20% of these left-behind older adults report poor health conditions, and 17% exhibit depressive symptoms, while the poor health and having depressive symptoms were lower among the non-left-behind older adults i.e., 13% and 12% respectively. The mediation analysis indicates that the likelihood of good self-rated health increased 1.35 times through the effect of remittance, which compensates for around 55% of the total adverse effect of migration.ConclusionThe consistent inflow of remittances serves to alleviate the impact on household finances, ensure food security, and address medical expenses. However, it is crucial to recognize that while remittances contribute significantly to economic stability, they cannot fully replace the physical presence of adult children, especially in terms of caregiving.

Mapping Anti-Refugee Attitude Networks in the Classroom: Examining the Relationship Between Migrant Children’s Attitude Alignment and National Identification

ABSTRACT Irish schools have been rapidly diversifying since the early 2000s. As increased diversity often leads to increased prejudicial attitudes, children with migration backgrounds may struggle to gain acceptance and a sense of belonging as Irish. There are several strategies migrant children may take in response to prejudicial attitudes they perceive in their classroom, including adopting prejudicial attitudes toward other migrant groups – such as refugees – to align with the majority, or distancing themselves from the negative attitudes of the majority at the expense of national identification. We examine these strategies using a novel network method which identifies the positions of each child in relation to others in their classroom based on their attitude similarity. The study uses data from 54 primary school classes (N = 969 children). We find that migrant children were not identifiable by distinct patterns of anti-refugee attitudes compared to those of Irish national children. National identification was not related to the alignment of attitudes to Irish peers. Alignment of attitudes toward one’s classmates, however, was associated with higher identification with the class, for both migrant and non-migrant children. These findings highlight the class context as a relevant environment in which attitudes and identity are jointly navigated.

Migrants & Minorities into Citizens: Education & Membership Regimes Since the Early Modern Period

Abstract Schools are one of the institutions that determine the possibilities to participate in society. Therefore, access to education is crucial to the settlement process of immigrants, minorities, and their offspring. Newcomers who join a community have always faced different membership regimes, long before the emergence of the nation-state in the nineteenth century. Such regimes determine whether, to what extent, and under what conditions children of migrants and minorities have access to schools. They also determine whether schools are segregated along religious, racial, or socioeconomic lines. These conditions are not limited to international migrants, but may also apply to internal migrants, such as low-income Chinese people who have moved from the countryside to large cities since the early 1980s and have limited access to (more expensive) urban schools. In this essay, I compare different parts of the world over the past five centuries to understand how polities allow or restrict access to education, and to what extent schools function as gateways to full participation in societies for children of migrants and minorities.

Constructing Effective Civic Education for Noncitizen Students

Abstract Primary and secondary education is essential because it not only provides students with critical literacy and numeracy skills, but also, for many students, it begins their civic education. The goals of civic education vary by country, but a consistent goal is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be productive members of society. Globally, approximately thirty-six million children are living outside of their country of nationality. With the growing number of migrant children, states are facing two challenges to effective civic education. The first is access to schools, and the second is creating a civic education curriculum that effectively prepares all students to participate in society in ways that align with democratic principles and goals. This essay focuses on unauthorized migrant children's access to public schools and argues for civic education to incorporate the exploration of membership boundaries so that students, citizen and noncitizen alike, can study unauthorized migrants' participation in society within the context of membership status. This exploration offers students the opportunity to consider how to better align unauthorized migrants' lived realities with their legal status-and to better realize democracy's promise.

HIV and viremia prevalence in non-migrating members of migrant households in southern Uganda: A cross-sectional population-based study.

In Africa, migrants are more likely to be living with HIV and HIV viremic than non-migrants but less is known about HIV outcomes among non-migrants living in households with migrants. We compared HIV outcomes in non-migrating persons in households with and without migration. We analyzed cross-sectional data collected between August 2016-May 2018 from non-migrating participants aged 15-49 in the Rakai Community Cohort Study in Uganda. Migrant households were classified as those reporting ≥1 member moving into or out of the household since the prior survey. HIV serostatus was determined using a validated testing algorithm, and viremia defined as >1,000 copies/mL. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) between household migration and HIV outcomes. Analyses were stratified by gender, direction of migration (into/out of household), and relationship between non-migrants and migrants (e.g., spouse). There were 14,599 non-migrants (52% women) and 4,415 (30%) lived in a household with ≥1 migrant. Of these, 972 (22%) had migrant spouses, 1,102 (25%) migrant children, and 875 (20%) migrant siblings. Overall, HIV prevalence and viremia did not differ between non-migrants in households with and without migration. However, in stratified analyses, non-migrant women with migrant spouses were significantly more likely to be HIV seropositive compared to non-migrant women with non-migrant spouses (adjPR:1.44, 95%CI:1.21-1.71). Conversely, non-migrant mothers living with HIV who had migrant children were less likely to be viremic (adjPR:0.34, 95%CI:0.13-0.86). Non-migrating women with migrating spouses are more likely be living with HIV, and may benefit from additional HIV support services.

Intercultural education and mother tongues of immigrant children: The case of Slovenia

PURPOSE. Intercultural education has become an important topic and one of the priorities for schools and education systems worldwide. Teachers should acquire knowledge about inclusion and intercultural education during their university education, but despite evidence that principals, teachers and schools feel ill-equipped to teach and engage in intercultural education, it in many countries, including Slovenia, this is not the case. For this reason in this paper, we present an intercultural model of education that offers teachers concrete support in the inclusion of migrant children. APPROACH. In addition to the comprehensive model of intercultural education, the article also presents some changes in legislation based on an analysis of educational regulations on inclusion and the development of intercultural education in Slovenia in recent years, which have a direct impact on the inclusion of immigrant pupils and students. The article also points out that teaching of mother tongues and cultures lessons for immigrant children is a very important part of intercultural education. Mother tongue and culture lessons in schools can be an opportunity to develop intercultural dialogue, and intercultural competence of all students, teachers and parents. Figures in Slovenia show that the number of schools offering mother tongues and cultures for children with a migrant background is slowly growing, but there are fewer languages to choose from. FINDINGS. Teachers do not feel competent in the area of inclusion of migrant students, intercultural education and teaching in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. This article therefore presents an intercultural model of education that offers teachers concrete support and actively involves all stakeholders in the integration process: Teachers, students, parents, migrants and their organizations, and local communities. KEY MESSAGE. As classrooms are becoming more culturally and linguistically diverse as a result of migration, systemic solutions and a holistic approach are needed to integrate immigrant pupils into the education system. The article focuses on the case of Slovenia, but the proposed holistic model is also transferable to other national contexts.

The Impact and Guarantee of Policy Changes to Migrant Children on Educational Equity in Guangzhou

In 2018, Guangzhou announced that it would adjust the policy on the advancement of the high school entrance examination in other places in 2021 and relax the restrictions on the advancement of children who have migrated with their parents to Guangzhou. It is of great significance to the migrant children who are educated in Guangzhou and take the Guangzhou high school entrance examination. However, there is a lack of adequate investigation into the impact of this change on the migrant children as individuals. This study will conduct interviews with a certain number of samples based on the method of qualitative research, taking Guangzhou as the scale, to explore the subjective feelings of the migrant children about the policy changes, and analyze the impact of the policy relaxation on the academic performance of the migrant children based on their personal family background and school experience. The results show that the relaxation of the policy has a positive and encouraging effect on the academic performance which is not only beneficial to the migrant children, but also ensures a certain degree of educational equity, and also has certain reference significance for the adjustment of education policy.

Pathways to educational integration: affordances and constraints on migrant children's participation in Swedish preschool teaching activities

ABSTRACT This study explores the integration of newly arrived migrant children in Swedish preschools, focusing on their participation in teaching activities. The research is part of a larger project examining how these children, who experience a double transition into both a new cultural and educational environment, become integrated into early childhood education and care (ECEC). The study investigates how different teaching activities either facilitate or constrain migrant children’s democratic participation. The research was conducted in two rural preschools with predominantly Swedish-speaking children and practitioners. The findings reveal that migrant children are more engaged during musical and physical activities, which rely less on verbal communication, compared to linguistically based activities. Teacher-controlled events, which consistently link language with resources, help maintain migrant children’s attention, while dialogic teaching practices often result in their disengagement. The study highlights the importance of structured and inclusive teaching practices to support the educational integration of migrant children.

Vaccine-preventable diseases in migrants to Europe: a systematic review

Abstract Migrant populations in Europe are at increased risk of under-immunisation and therefore likely to be at high risk of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD), yet the relationship between migration and VPD incidence is not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of VPDs in migrant populations in Europe and to define at-risk groups. Following PRISMA guidelines, Embase, MEDLINE and Global Health were searched for peer-reviewed papers published from 1st January 2010. Inclusion criteria comprised primary research on VPD cases (measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) among migrants to/within EU/EEA and Switzerland. We defined migrants as foreign-born nationals. Forty-seven eligible studies from 15 EU/EEA countries and Switzerland were included, with a total of 1357 migrant VPD cases reported. Analysis revealed 1357 migrant cases across measles (28 publications; 926 cases), pertussis (9; 267 cases), mumps (9; 107 cases), diphtheria (11; 67 cases), rubella (2; 6 cases imported from Romania and Pakistan), tetanus (2; 2 cases). Over-representation of measles cases was observed among migrant children and adolescents, predominantly from the WHO Europe region (particularly Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia). Migrants of East African origin were over-represented among diphtheria cases. This study underscores the association between migration and VPD cases in EU/EEA and Switzerland, establishing a clear association between European migrant children and adolescents in measles outbreaks, and adult migrants from East Africa in diphtheria cases. This study suggests strengthening systems for targeted catch-up vaccination for migrants is imperative upon arrival in European countries to align them with national schedules, alongside the need to improve data collection and surveillance systems to inform effective public health interventions. Key messages • Migrant populations in Europe face heightened risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and need to be better incorporated into catch-up vaccination initiatives on arrival. • Improved data collection and surveillance systems are crucial for informing effective public health interventions targeting migrant populations.

Understanding and addressing the needs of refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people

Abstract Issue/problem Europe is home to an increasing number of refugee and asylum-seeking children at risk of health and wellbeing needs due to their life experiences. They are frequently marginalised, impoverished, and face barriers accessing the healthcare and support they need. Bevan, an English social enterprise providing health and wellbeing services to Inclusion Health populations, carried out a needs assessment of migrant children registered at one of its General Practices to determine challenges and opportunities to ensuring their right to health. The knowledge and learning generated is relevant across sectors; organisations and geographical boundaries. Description of the problem The assessment included a literature review, audit of child new patient health checks, service mapping, multi-agency stakeholder interviews and a consultation event with unaccompanied minors. Findings informed Bevan’s Migrant Children and Young People (CYP) Strategy, local service development and system-wide recommendations. Results Key areas of concern identified included mental health; safeguarding; development; nutrition; and inter agency working. Challenges to meeting needs were complex and included national policies, poor provider understanding of rights and entitlements, language and cultural barriers, health service waiting lists, housing and silo-working. Lessons Responding to findings Bevan invested in an in-house CYP mental health service and CYP social prescriber, opened a drop-in clinic and wellbeing service for unaccompanied minors, and initiated orientation and health information sessions for new arrivals with peer advocate support. Bevan now hosts a city-wide cross-sector Migrant CYP stakeholder group and collaborates with regional and national partners to develop resources to promote the health of migrant CYP. Key messages • The needs assessment enabled development of a responsive integrated service for migrant CYP that meets their health needs and addresses their social determinants of health. • The Migrant CYP stakeholder group has improved inter-agency working, helped identify service gaps, increased advocacy opportunities, and facilitated co-creation of solutions to meet population needs.

Heterogeneity in health and lifestyle among preschool children with migrant background in Sweden

Abstract Background Parental country of birth and socioeconomic status affect children’s health, lifestyle, and access to care. But inequality patterns may vary depending on the outcome and indicator being studied. While prior studies have focused on single health outcomes, this study assessed the relationship between parental migrant status and a range of health and lifestyle indicators among 3-year-old children. Methods Using an outcome-wide approach, we analyzed data from cross-sectional population-based surveys of 3-year-old (2014-2018) in Northern Sweden, which included 9,099 children aged 33-42 months. The surveys were administered to parents. Logistic and linear regressions were performed to examine the association between parents’ place of birth and outcome indicators. Additionally, we controlled for parents’ income and education using multiple regression models. Results Children with at least one migrant parent were perceived by their parents to have poorer health (OR:1.5, CI:1.01-2.36) and more socio-emotional problems (OR: 2.8, CI: 2.20-3.59) compared to those with two Swedish parents. While there were no significant differences in estimated BMI, lifestyle indicators showed that these children consumed more sweets (OR:4.5, CI: 3.02-6.58), less milk (OR: 1.3, CI: 1.09-1.55), fewer vegetables (OR:1.6; CI: 1.22-2.05) and brushed their teeth less frequently (OR: 2.8, CI: 2.17-3.53). However, they spent more time playing outdoors on weekdays (OR:1.6, CI:1.22-2.00) and weekends (OR: 1.5, CI: 1.18-1.94), but screen time remained consistent between weekdays and weekends. Conclusions Parental migrant status has varying impacts on children’s health and lifestyle, with some indicators showing worse outcomes for children with migrant parents compared to those with Swedish parents, while others do not. An outcome-wide approach is crucial for targeted actions to strengthen protective factors and mitigate risk factors, and ultimately reduce inequalities in early childhood. Key messages • The link between parental migrant status and children’s well-being is complex. Not all indicators show worse outcomes, inequality patterns vary based on the specific outcome and indicator measured. • An outcome-wide approach is crucial to identify action areas for targeted interventions to reinforce protective factors and mitigate risk factors, and ultimately reduce inequalities during childhood.