Research Clusters
Immigrant Fathers
Led by Dr. David Este, Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, with links to Toronto and Montreal
Focus: The challenges faced by immigrant fathers in Canada.
The experience of being an immigrant or refugee may have a significant impact on the fathering role. This study's purpose is to identify key acculturation challenges for immigrant/refugee fathers, to collaboratively develop a best practices program of service for immigrant men, and to generate an inventory of programs and services that address the needs of immigrant men in Canada.
Immigrant fathers are dealing with multiple and often inter-related stressors such as: unemployment and underemployment, social isolation, barriers to accessing services, role reversal (when their partners are the first to find employment), and trauma induced by war or enforced refugee status.
In addition these men may have strong beliefs, values, and traditions about the nature of the family and father-child relationships that may or may not be supported in Canada.
The study utilized Patton's pragmatic qualitative research design, which allows the researcher to conduct his/her research study without the need to choose a specific qualitative tradition. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Sudanese and 14 Russian newcomer men. Focus groups will be conducted in Calgary, Montreal and Toronto with groups of immigrant fathers recruited with the help of local immigrant serving agencies.
Initially, five Calgary-based agency groups met to identify research strategies. This was complemented by a meeting among six programs offering services to immigrant fathers in Toronto. Gilles Forget, with Public Health in Montreal, made linkages for expanding the research to the Montreal area. The Calgary Immigrant Aid Society, Calgary Jewish Family Services, and The New Sudan Association of Alberta provided assistance in identifying and recruiting Calgary participants for the interviews. Dr. Este supervised students.
An initial analysis of the interview data has been completed and several themes have emerged. To read more click here.
For more information, publications and associated materials please visit the resource area of this site by clicking here. Some examples of references and resource materials available include the following:
Fatherhood and Immigration: Challenging the Deficit Theory (Child and Family Social Work, Volume 10, Issue 4, pp. 315-239)
Authored by Dorit Roer-Strier, Roni Strier, David Este, Rena Shimoni, and Dawne Clark. Article focuses on impact of immigration on fathers, examining immigrant fathers' perceptions of fatherhood, systematic obstacles facing immigrant fathers, and positive opportunities presented by cultural change.
Executive Summary (Father Involvement Community Research Forum Spring 2006 - Early Results)
Authored by David Este. A summary of research into stress factors relating to
parenting by immigrant fathers. Stress factors for immigrant fathers include
underemployment or unemployment, social isolation, barriers to helping services,
role reversal, and trauma induced by war or enforced refugee status
