Continuities and Discontinuities: Patterns of Migration, Adolescent Immigrant Gurks and their Family Relationships

• Published in: Qualitative social work : QSW : research and practice Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 229 - 247
• Main Author: Michael, Suzanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2009
• Subjects: Adolescents; Family Stability; Females; Immigrants; Migration Patterns; Narratives; Parent Child Relations; Stress
• ISSN: 1473-3250
• DOI: 10.1177/1473325009103378

Using the migration narratives collected during a qualitative study of immigrant adolescent girls from 35 nations living in New York City, this article explores the intersection between adolescence and migration, and how adolescent immigrant girls' family relationships are impacted by the pattern of their migration. Unit of migration, e.g. intact family, parent/child, and/or process of migration e.g. mother-first and prolonged parent-child separations, were found to frequently presage positive or negative post-arrival family experiences. The findings suggest the need for social work scholars and practitioners to focus more on the dynamic intersection of migration patterns and adolescent development. The article identifies specific interventions that may reduce the occurrence of immigrant related stresses amongst adolescents, as well as areas for further research. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright holder.]