Fathering perceptions and experiences of Ethiopian immigrant/refugee men in a Canadian urban centre

Abstract

Although there are some studies on issues relating to immigrant and refugee resettlement in general, there is paucity of research on immigrant and refugee fathers in Canada. In the absence of research-based information professionals and researchers as well as other service providing agencies are left with their own experiences, biases and concerns as to how to assist immigrant and refugee fathers. In light of these, the purpose of the current study is to explore the fathering perceptions and experiences of Ethiopian newcomer fathers in a Canadian urban centre and narrow the knowledge gap that exists about these men. A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to gather information from 2 Ethiopian immigrant and 8 refugee fathers living in Calgary through face-to-face individual interviews. The fathers were asked about their perceptions of fathering and their experiences as fathers in the Canadian context. Data were analyzed through inductive approach to allow findings to emerge from the raw data. The results of the study identified that the fathers demonstrated deep sense of commitment, concern and responsibility to fulfill their paternal roles in the changing context of immigration through provision of basic necessities, protection, guidance, sharing child care and household activities with their spouses. The findings also suggest that fathering experiences in Canada brought in changes in the paternal behaviour of the fathers through modification of parenting styles. The study further indicated the need for understanding the support needs of immigrant and refugee fathers by service providing entities through out the resettlement process.