This article investigates how refugees’ narratives of parental practices can be explored and conceptualised. Existing research approaches are critically discussed. Interviews are carried out with parents in 16 refugee families, resettled in Norway, and the narratives of their parental practices are analysed by applying the Bakhtinian concept of multivoicedness. The analytical results are presented by means of one couple’s narrative. Several contradictory mother- and father-voices are identified. Multivoicedness proves to be a fruitful concept for understanding the complexities of refugees’ parental practices and their meaning-making in a new host country. Our analyses may contribute to less discriminatory social work practices. The analytical results are presented mainly by examining a detailed case. © The Author(s) 2019.

resettlement Analytical approach refugee parents Meaning-making parental practices multivoicedness

male voice female human narrative refugee Norway father meaning-making Article interview social work practice adult child parent relation