Kinship Care and Transnational Parenting: The Intersection of Cultural Values and Practices |
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Authors: | Christiana Best |
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Institution: | 1. Silberman School of Social Work, Maspeth, New YorkCBestConsulting@yahoo.com |
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Abstract: | This study uses ethnographic research to examine the phenomenon of transnational parenting by migrant mothers from the African Caribbean community and their family who care for the mothers’ children. Twenty women’s narratives demonstrate the complexity of relationships between migrant mothers living and working in New York City and their extended family or kinship caretakers who coparent their children in their countries of origin. The study reveals three main factors that contribute to the success of transnational parenting: (1) informal kinship care-child fostering, (2) remittances, and (3) social networks. Policy and practice implications are explored. |
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Keywords: | kinship care transnational parenting child shifting migrant mothers reunification support systems child-rearing practices remittances African Caribbean West Indian |
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