Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 266 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (946 download)
Book Synopsis The Impact of Migration and Acculturative Stress on Puerto Rican and Mexican American Parents and Their Children by :
Download or read book The Impact of Migration and Acculturative Stress on Puerto Rican and Mexican American Parents and Their Children written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The multiple case studies discussed in this work exemplify the struggles that are faced by those individuals who migrate to the mainland United States from Mexico and Puerto Rico, and the impact that these experiences might have on the parenting experiences and ultimately the children. The psychological effects of the trauma that might occur through the migration and acculturation process will be understood through the theories of Bowlby, Kohut, and Winnicott. These theories are discussed in an effort to provide a framework for conceptualizing the problems that might arise as a result of stress and trauma of migration and acculturation. They focus on the early primary parent/child dyad and the impact that this relationship has upon the child's psychological development.Literature that discusses the aforementioned topic is elaborated upon in this work with an emphasis on the cultural issues that might impact both the migration and the acculturation process. Such variables as motivation for migration, the journey to the U.S., the proximity variable, as well as powerful cultural values are outlined in order to more clearly grasp the problems. An examination of the host culture and its influence on the acculturation process is also addressed, as this is an equally impacting variable. Poverty, racism, and marginalization are powerful variables that affect the population of migrants, particularly those who come to the U.S. without documentation, thus issues of discrimination experienced by Latino migrants is addressed. The uneven rates of acculturation within a family, as well as gender issues also impact the process and intensify problems.Three families are portrayed in this work. I provided clinical services to the families for approximately one year, during which time individual therapy, play therapy, family therapy and classroom interventions were included in the treatment.Two of the families portrayed migrated to the U.S. from Mexico, neither with documentation. They came with very young children, and the experiences that caused them to leave their homeland, the migration experiences, and their experiences of acculturating to the U.S. have traumatically impacted both parents and children. The family struggles can be seen in the children. The children were referred for treatment by their daycare providers because they displayed unusual and disturbing behavior in the classroom.The third family is a Puerto Rican family. The concept of cross-generational effects of migration and acculturative stress are examined through the portrayal of this family. Though the family has lived in Chicago for forty years, the impact of loss of homeland, as well as cultural differences and marginalization can be understood through the family experience.The primary focus of this work is the portrayal of the family story. Through the case study method, an experiential exposure to the work of the therapist and the family story is more personally and poignantly depicted. Within the psychological framework of attachment, self development, and the holding environment, the impact of stress and trauma of this type is explored.
