Child and Family Social Work
Volume 10, Issue 4, 2005, Pages 315-329

Fatherhood and immigration: Challenging the deficit theory (Article)

Roer-Strier D.* , Strier R. , Este D. , Shimoni R. , Clark D.
  • a School of Social Work, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, Center for Research on Youth and Social Policy, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 91905, Israel
  • b Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, United States, National Center for Fathers and Families, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • c Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada
  • d Health and Community Care, Bow Valley College, Calgary, Alta., Canada
  • e Department of Child and Youth Studies, Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alta., Canada

Abstract

Most immigration studies focus on the negative consequences of immigration for families and for parenting. Immigration is also viewed as a factor that undermines fathers' capacity to implement their fathering roles. The impact of immigration on fathers has received very little attention. This paper is based on 54 interviews with immigrant fathers to Canada and Israel. Based on qualitative data, the paper investigates immigrant fathers' perceptions of fatherhood in the midst of cultural change. This paper challenges the widely held notion that immigration itself is a risk factor for fatherhood. It focuses rather on the systemic barriers and obstacles facing immigrant fathers in their new country and the positive opportunities this change presents. Implications for intervention and policies concerning immigrant families are discussed. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Author Keywords

Fatherhood Risk Cultural Transition Parental roles Immigration Family

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-27844456018&doi=10.1111%2fj.1365-2206.2005.00374.x&partnerID=40&md5=3404fb8a3b4a2cb493d201d6635445b1
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2206.2005.00374.x
ISSN: 13567500
Cited by: 32
Original Language: English