Journal of Refugee Studies
Volume 25, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 71-92

The divergent experiences of children and adults in the relocation process: Perspectives of child and parent refugee claimants in Montreal (Article)

Morantz G.* , Rousseau C. , Heymann J.
  • a Division of General Pediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
  • b Division of Social and Cultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
  • c Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

Abstract

In addition to difficult pre-migratory experiences, the migration process also results in challenging socio-economic conditions for most refugee claimants. This study reports on in-depth interviews conducted with refugee claimant children and their parents at a paediatric hospital in Montreal, Canada. A dyadic analysis of their responses reveals that children and adult refugee claimants encounter disparate migratory experiences and live the relocation process differently. Most children, particularly younger ones, undergo the separation from their home countries more easily and experience fewer barriers to social network rebuilding. This results in an easier adaptation to their host society. Nevertheless, they remain at risk because of the difficulties experienced by their parents. Implications for policy and services are discussed. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Relocation Asylum seekers Children Social networks Refugees Refugee claimants

Index Keywords

Canada immigration policy social network refugee relocation parent-offspring interaction asylum seeker Quebec [Canada] adult Montreal Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84858183864&doi=10.1093%2fjrs%2ffer025&partnerID=40&md5=674dbc47dbe17f7bb6dce21001f637f3
DOI: 10.1093/jrs/fer025
ISSN: 09516328
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English