Discuss how Transnational feminist theory applies to the following study:
The study will examine the childhood experiences of adult immigrants who were left behind by and later reunited with a parent who immigrated from Jamaica to the US? The type of study proposed is a qualitative phenomenological study. According to Creswell and Baez (2021), phenomenology is rooted in philosophy. It is grounded in the idea that the individual’s lived experiences include both the subjective and objective experiences of people sharing something they have in common. The data will be collected using Zoom interviews including demographic and open-ended questions. The data will be done utilizing a thematic analysis approach in order to identify, analyze, organize, describe, and report themes with research data (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The following NASW Code of Ethics are relevant to the proposed research: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the individual, and importance of relationships (NASW Code of Ethics, 2017). Guided by these values social workers are able to effectively work with clients from a cross-cultural perspective which often includes marginalized, oppressed people who are members of a vulnerable population. It is important to study the experiences of Caribbean families who are often overlooked and in doing so, social workers are able to amplify the voice of individuals who otherwise would be ignored.
The role and responsibility of the researcher are to examine and interpret the impact the research subject matter has had on the lived experiences of the research participants (Alase, 2017). Twenty percent of the children living in homes in the United States live in immigrant homes. Eighty-five percent have been separated from their parents due to the immigration process, which can be complicated and take several years. Some children are left as infants and some as late as adolescents. During the separation of child and parent go through immense changes that are complex; both parents and child separate from the nuclear family. The length of the separation period depends on the financial status of the immigrant parent, the immigration laws of the host country, and reunification can take place over a two-to-five-year period. The children had feelings of abandonment, detachment from parents, and deviant behaviors were gathered from clinical accounts (Suarez-Orozco et.al (2002). (2002). ( Add to what the problem is)
Serial migration is seen mainly among the working class who emigrate to improve their family’s socio-economic status. Caribbean immigrants tend to migrate leaving their children behind. especially those who are not financially secured, while more financially secure families usually emigrate together. Family members and extended relatives will serve as surrogate parents in the absence of the parents; the normal reunification process between child and parents may take two to ten years. However, the process could take five to nineteen years. It is common for family members and extended relatives to care for the children as the birth parents put measures to secure themselves financially and physically overseas. While many children are cared for physically by family members and relatives, the emotional support needed may be lacking. Children who are separated from their parents deal with feelings of anger, fear, rejection, and resentment. The severing of this parent child bond led to depression, hostility, withdrawal, and other disturbing behaviors. During the reunification process, children experience a plethora of emotions, including frustration and disappointment based on the expectations that were not fulfilled as they expected to live happily ever after (Crawford-Brown and Rattray (2001).
According to Lashley (2000), Black Caribbean immigrants mainly immigrate to improve themselves and their family’s social-economic status. According to Henry (1994) (p.57.) Caribbean family relationships are some of the most intricate of foundational institutions within the Caribbean society. It is common to leave their children behind in their home country with family members. Many seek to reunite with the children they have left behind; however, the reunification process can be lengthy and complicated. This study will add to the knowledge base, encouraging mental health professionals to consider societal and cultural factors when creating evidence-based treatment modalities for this population.
Statement of Purpose
The topic of adults who were left behind as children and have reunited with their parents have been given little attention and the impact it has had on children. There is a dearth of research available thus, making it difficult for the lived experiences of this population to be understood, impeding the experiences of Caribbean left behind adult children reunited with their parents. As a result, knowledge on this population is sparse, leading to a lack of understanding of the lived experiences of Caribbean families and their left-behind children. Also, there is an absence of cultural inclusion and sensitivity throughout literature and its effects on families dealing with adults being left behind by a parent. In conclusion, more research needs to be conducted to understand the experiences of adults who were left behind and later reunited, and the role culture plays in this population. (Updated statement of purpose)
To better understand the lived experiences and impact of adult immigrants
who were left behind by and later reunited with a parent who immigrated from the
Jamaica to the US during the child’s developmental years. Immigrants who were left-behind children face unique challenges as they reunite with their families after several years of being apart Wickham, (2017). The topic of left-behind adults who were left behind as children has been given little attention, and there is a dearth of research available thus, making it difficult for the lived experiences of this population to be understood. According to Pew Research (2021), there are over 40 million people who are foreign-born who currently reside in the United States that are classified as immigrants and left behind adults who were left behind as children are part of the immigrant population. It is imperative that this population is studied so that possible risk can be minimized and the necessary protective factors are in place that will minimize harm. With the United States having more immigrants than any other country in the world of which left-behind children and their families are a part of, further research of the subject is needed among this population.
