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Fatherhood and immigration: challenging the deficit theory
Author(s) -
RoerStrier Dorit,
Strier Roni,
Este David,
Shimoni Rena,
Clark Dawne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
child and family social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-2206
pISSN - 1356-7500
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2206.2005.00374.x
Subject(s) - immigration , perception , immigration policy , intervention (counseling) , qualitative research , sociology , focus group , political science , psychology , social science , law , neuroscience , psychiatry , anthropology
Most immigration studies focus on the negative consequences of immigration for families and for parenting. Immigration is also viewed as a factor that undermines fathers’ capacity to implement their fathering roles. The impact of immigration on fathers has received very little attention. This paper is based on 54 interviews with immigrant fathers to Canada and Israel. Based on qualitative data, the paper investigates immigrant fathers’ perceptions of fatherhood in the midst of cultural change. This paper challenges the widely held notion that immigration itself is a risk factor for fatherhood. It focuses rather on the systemic barriers and obstacles facing immigrant fathers in their new country and the positive opportunities this change presents. Implications for intervention and policies concerning immigrant families are discussed.