Within ethnic families: Parent-child relation among Indians in Canada

Abstract (English)

Literature on history and cultural anthropology has asserted that Indians have a long migration history to different parts of the world. Indian immigrants played a crucial role in shaping Canada as a vast landmass after Confederation in 1867. However, immigration has significantly influenced intimate family dynamics, particularly the parent-child relationship, which is often complex and multilayered to be described. Using a phenomenological approach, this qualitative research involving unstructured, open-ended, in-depth interviews conducted separately with parents and their children seeks to understand how international migration affects the dynamics and quality of relationships between parents and children in a nuclear family setup. Applying Hinde's theory, ethnic socialization studies, and transnationalism from a Third World perspective, the study underscores the pivotal role of the host society's policies in shaping these intimate relationships, influenced by individual and societal challenges, particularly in navigating a bicultural identity. The principles of the home country and premigration beliefs did not always align with the realities of the host society. In the absence of conditions required for traditional grooming, several other factors come into play, leading to the emergence of a new version of the family. The arguments illustrate the complex ethnic identity formed by cross-border connections for South Asian Canadian parents and their impact on the parent-child relationship. The study provides opportunities to explore various aspects of parenting to enhance the well-being of families, create an inclusive environment in Canada that values cultural diversity, and support Indian migrant families toward a bicultural identity.