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PARENTING fN A DIFFERENT SOCIAL ENVIRONILIENrI': THE EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Eugenia Adeline Kgomo B.A. Hons. University of the North, 1986 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Women's Studies O Eugenia Adeline Kgomo 1996 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY August 1996 All rights reserved. This work may not be: reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means. without permission of the author National Library Bibliothmue nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisihs and Direction des acquisitions et Bibliographic Services Branch des services bibliographiques Your lde Volre reference Our fde Nolre relerence The author has granted an L'auteur a accorde une licence irrevocable non-exclusive licence irrevocable et non exclusive allowing the National Library of permettant a la Bibliotheque Canada to reproduce, loan, nationale du Canada de distribute or sell copies of reproduire, preter, distribuer ou - his/her thesis by any means and vendre des copies de sa these in any form or format, making de queique manitire et ssus this thesis available to interested quelque forme que ce soit pour persons. mettre des exemplaires de cette these a la disposition des personnes interessees. The author retains ownership of L'auteur conserve la propriete du the copyright in his/her thesis. droit d'auteur qui protege sa Neither the thesis nor substantial these. Ni la thke ni des extraits extracts from it may be printed or substantieis de celle-ci ne otherwise reproduced without doivent 6tre imprimes ou his/her permission. autrement reproduits sans son - autorisation. ISBN 0-612-16948-0 PARTIAL COPYFUGHT LICENSE I hereby grant to Simon Fraser University the light to lend my thesis, pro'ect or e-xtended essay (the title of which is shown below) to users or' the Simon Fraser Unh-ersily Librqr, and to ~nalie partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other uni-\rersity. or other educational instit~tion,on its own behalf or for one of its users. 1 further agree that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by me or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this \xTorli for financial gain shall not be allo~edwithout my written pernlission. Title of Thesis/Project/Extended Essay Parentino in a Differen? Social Environment: The Experiences and Fers~ectives of Immiorent 'i.!oren of African Descent in Er it i .;h Author: (signature) Approval Name: Eugenia Adeline Kgomo Degree: Master of Arts (Women's Studies) Title of thesis: Parenting in a Different Social Environment: The Experiences and Ferspectives of Immigr=t Women of African Descent in British Columbia . Examuung Committee: Chair: Dr. Susan Wendell - Dr. Cathy Nesmith ' Senior Supervisor Dr. Meredith f(imbal1 Second Supervisor Dr. Isabel Dyck External Examiner Associate Professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences University of British Columbia Date Approved: i Abstract There is a growing iiterature on the experiences of immigrant women; however. little attention has been paid to parenting esperienccs of immigrant women. in particular those of African descent. The thesis seeks to gain a deeper understanding of how inmigrant women of African descent in British Columbia socialize their children, and why they socialize their children in certain ways, given the fact that thew mothers have been socialized in a different culture. Furthermore. thc thesis attempts to elaborate on the extent to which both the womcn's original culture and their new culture interact to determine their child rearing practices and perceptions of parenting. The methodology used is in-depth interviews about the womcn's African centric and Canadian experiences. Loosely structure, open ended questions focused on topics such as discipline, self esteem, respcct, responsibility, racism. safety and the school and parenting rcsourccs. The women were encouraged to talk extensively and reflecbively about their experiences as mothers. The results indicate that the task of child rearing for these worncn is very challenging. The women perceive Canadian cultural values to be more materialistic, individualistic, relaxed and less respectful of elders than African centric cultural values which emphasize the opposite principles. These conflicts, cmpled with these mothers' and their children's visible minority status, compels the women to undergo dramatic shifts in their conceptual framework of parenting, and in parenting techniques in an attempt to adapt to Canadian culture. They select and incorporate aspects of both cultures to socialize their children to fit into Canadian culture, yet retain their African centric self identity, given their visible minority status. These women lack adequate information and resources relevant to the challenges they face on a daily basis. The women also expressed a yearning for recognition and inclusion of their parenting style by marnstream culture. It is important that immigrant women's experiences be incorporated by the Canadian Ministry of Social Services when planning 2nd facilitating future social services, and that existing services become more sensitive and welcoming tc: these women's ways of parenting. Dedication For ray late father Wilfrid my mother Constance and my sons Tsepo and Zakhele Acknowledgmentr This thesis could not have been a success without support from the following people: my co-researcher who unselfishly agreed to volunteer their valuable time to do the interviews. My special gratitude goes to Kate who helped me find the participants. I would also like to extend my sincerest thanks to Rita; she offered to drive me to some of the women's homes. My heartfelt appreciation goes to Maureen, for helping to edit my work, Thoko. for giving me the spiritual and moral support and help that only a true friend can give. Larry, Ntsikie, Dudu and in particular, Ndumiso. thank you for offering to take care of my baby during the last hectic weeks. I acknowledge the support of Carol, Violet and Morela. I also acknowledge the support of Mbuti. My appreciation also goes to my supervisors, Doctor Cathy Nesmith and Dr. Meredith Kimball for their support, guidance, the Simon Fraser University for financial assistance and the YWCA for making it possible for me to complete this thesis. Table of Contents .. Approval .................................................................................................................................... 11 ... Abstract.................................................................................................................................... 111 Dedication ................ .. ........................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................ v I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... I 1 . Research Problem ................................................................................................. 1 2 . The Purpose of the Thesis .................................................................................. 3 3 . Literature Review ................................................................................................. 6 3.1 . Identifying Gaps .................................................................................... 6 3.2. Mothers and Parenting ...................................................................... -8 3.3. The Component of Difference ...........................................................9 3.4. The Components of 'Immigranthood' and Change ................ 12 4 . Content.................................................................................................................... I5 ff .METHODOLOGIES ......................... .. ...........,....*.......................,......*......................,.,..*16 1. Feminist Oral History as Relevant Methodology .................................. 16 2. Research Sample................................................................................................ 2 3 3. Instrument .......................................................................................................... 2 5 4 . Collection of Data ............................................................................................. 26 5 . Presentation ......................................................................................................... 28 m .BACKGROUND INFORMATION ................................................................................. 30 1. Getting to Know One Another ........................................................................ 30 2 . Parenting in Home Countries ........................................................................ 22 2.1 . Important Values ................................................................................ 32 2.2. The Socializer........................................................................................ 37 2.3. Parenting Methods ............................................................................. 44 IV . CANADIAN EXPERIENCE............ .... ...................................................................... -48 1 . Preconceptions about Canadian Parenting ............ .. .............................

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