Parenting styles and practices of East African newcomer women in Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Date
2018
Authors
Ola, Omolayo
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Abstract
The immigrant and refugee population has been increasing and more rapid growth is expected in Manitoba in the next few years (Statistics Canada, 2012). As this population grows, changes in culture and norms occur, which affect parenting styles and practices. Thus, this study explored the perspectives of East African mothers on their parenting styles and practices in Africa and Winnipeg. Using an Interpretative Phenomenology Approach, five one-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted to understand the parenting experiences of the participants. Eight main themes emerged, and each theme had sub-themes that reflected the parenting experiences of the participants. Mothers adopted both authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles in Africa and only an authoritative parenting style in Canada. The beliefs behind their parenting styles were respect and parental upbringing. Mothers explained the factors influencing their parenting styles to be parents’ education and knowledge around parenting, the parents’ income and the age of the parents, and they perceived these factors to be of significant influence as they raise their children in Canada. Furthermore, mothers described parenting challenges such as fear of children calling 911 on their parents, apprehension, children’s selfish personality, negative influence from peers, freedom, individual living, language barriers, and living in two different cultures. The participants mentioned different solutions to their parenting challenges in Canada that they developed by talking with their children, being friendly with their children, conducting internet research to sort information from websites, and help from police and family services.
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Keywords
Newcomer mothers, parenting styles, parenting practices, Africa, Canada