Longitudinal Studies on Migrants’ Families: From an Identity View

A special issue of Societies (ISSN 2075-4698).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 10655

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of General Psychology, Penza State University, 440026 Penza, Russia
Interests: problems of adaptation of migrants in new living conditions; psychological aspects of cultural transmission; sociopsychological aspects of personality disadaptation; transformation of migrant identity; ethnic identity; local community; integration; migrants; refugees
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Studies of migrant families’ identity problems are among the most pressing topics of modern social sciences. Identity (that is, self-identification of a person) is one of the most important criteria of effectiveness migrant integration into the host society. The problem of migrant integration is directly related to the key issue of integrity and stability of the entire social system, counteracting its fragmentation, and disintegration into small, self-contained, incapable of understanding each other, mutual-solidarity, suspicious, and even warring communities and networks. If we do not learn how to deal effectively with thorny problems of migrant integration, then given the scope of migration in the modern world and the huge economic and cultural gap between migrant-supplying countries and -receiving societies, the very ability of the latter for sustainable development will be jeopardized. The problem becomes even more acute due to the fact that it is becoming chronic, since migration flows are not going to stop, and more and more cohorts of integrated immigrants are replacing integrated immigrants with varying degrees of success.

In order to find the right means of solving this problem, it is necessary to start with a deep study of the processes that occur in migrant families, who as a rule are experiencing a severe cultural upheaval from a sharp change in social environment, their social status, customs, and habits. A detailed study of the ongoing changes in their identity is the key to understanding the effectiveness of the entire integration process.

In this Special Issue, we welcome manuscripts of various types, such as articles, reviews, and conceptual papers of a disciplinary or interdisciplinary nature, that seek to contribute to analysis of longitudinal migrant family studies, from an identity perspective.

Prof. Dr. Vsevolod Konstantinov
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • migrant families
  • identity
  • migrants
  • longitudinal studies
  • host society

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 297 KiB  
Article
A Norwegian Soul in a Chinese Body? Ethnic Identity and Chinese Adoptees in Norway
by Guowen Shang, Julia Christine Marinaccio and Tuathla Lai Honne
Societies 2022, 12(4), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12040117 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4216
Abstract
The ethnic identity of international adoptees has been a transdisciplinary field of inquiry over the past decades. Taking China-born adopted Norwegian citizens as research subjects, this study uses a mixed-method approach to explore how they perceive their ethnic identity and origin in the [...] Read more.
The ethnic identity of international adoptees has been a transdisciplinary field of inquiry over the past decades. Taking China-born adopted Norwegian citizens as research subjects, this study uses a mixed-method approach to explore how they perceive their ethnic identity and origin in the host society of Norway. We find that Chinese adoptees mainly identify as racially Chinese but culturally Norwegian, and their Chineseness lies primarily in their appearance. They generally feel secure about their ethnic background despite the challenges and paradoxes caused by their Chinese looks. Most adoptees have no attachment to their birth country, and their interests in China and Chinese culture are usually instrumental and individual-based. Three main socio-cultural factors shape the ethnic identity of China-born adopted children: (1) the negligible impact of their pre-adoptive history upon them, (2) a supportive family environment acknowledging their differences, and (3) an inclusive socio-cultural environment that respects ethnic diversities. No clear tendency towards constructing or enacting double identities among the adoptees was found. Finally, our respondents reported fewer racist experiences than suggested by recent literature on migrants and international adoptees in current literature. This aspect needs further research, also in reference to other cohorts of adoptees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Studies on Migrants’ Families: From an Identity View)
16 pages, 292 KiB  
Article
Language Practices within the Mixed Spanish-/Italian-/French- and Estonian-Speaking Families in Tallinn
by Regina Seppik and Anastassia Zabrodskaja
Societies 2022, 12(4), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12040115 - 7 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
This phenomenological study examined six mixed families living in Tallinn who are composed by French-/Italian-/Spanish-Estonian native speakers, who have at least one child who is being raised simultaneously with the combination of French-/Italian-/Spanish-Estonian and who all appeared to follow the one parent one [...] Read more.
This phenomenological study examined six mixed families living in Tallinn who are composed by French-/Italian-/Spanish-Estonian native speakers, who have at least one child who is being raised simultaneously with the combination of French-/Italian-/Spanish-Estonian and who all appeared to follow the one parent one language strategy as family language policy. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents. The theoretical aspect features family language policies and strategies, identity and its types, globalisation forces, bilingualism, and multiculturalism. The research aimed at highlighting the reasons behind parents’ ideological decision, more specifically, on how these bilingual families manage and adapt their language policies. The study shows how families control their chosen strategies. Research revealed in which languages children prefer to speak if they have been raised in multilingual environment. The results demonstrated that parents prefer to use a one parent–one language approach and they are led by their intuition and desire to speak in their own mother tongue with their children. It was found that bilingual reading to children during their first years contributes to their ability to speak in both parents’ mother tongues. Data showed that bilingual children living in Tallinn prefer to speak Estonian while having competency in both languages. This study revealed that parents were content about their children being bilingual. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Studies on Migrants’ Families: From an Identity View)

Other

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12 pages, 1652 KiB  
Concept Paper
Family and Youth Development: Some Concepts and Findings Linked to The Ecocultural and Acculturation Models
by John W. Berry
Societies 2022, 12(6), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12060181 - 2 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2894
Abstract
Much research on migrants has focused on single individuals; however, the large-scale movement of people from one society to another often includes families made up of parents, their children and other relatives. Over time, these families and their members settle into their new [...] Read more.
Much research on migrants has focused on single individuals; however, the large-scale movement of people from one society to another often includes families made up of parents, their children and other relatives. Over time, these families and their members settle into their new society; they experience the process of acculturation and eventually adapt to their new circumstances. The processes of acculturation and adaptation are highly variable across cultural groups, societies of settlement, families and individuals. Sometimes this process is challenging, and may engender disagreements and conflicts among members of a family about how to acculturate. Variations in these patterns allow for the examination of which acculturation experiences and strategies lead to better adaptations. This paper reviews some of the core concepts and frameworks for examining them, and presents some findings on how families and youth acculturate and adapt. It concludes with some suggestions for how to acculturate using the integration strategy to improve family and individual adaptations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longitudinal Studies on Migrants’ Families: From an Identity View)
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