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Bending like a river: The Parenting between Cultures program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Carole Kayrooz
Affiliation:
Centre for Professional and Vocational Education, University of Canberra, ACT 2601
Cathy Blunt
Affiliation:
Marymead Child and Family Centre, PO Box 4260, Kingston ACT 2604

Abstract

While there are many parent education programs in Australia, there have been few developed to cater specifically to the needs of migrant groups. Attempting to fill this gap, a parenting program was developed and trialedfor three ethnic communities. The program addressed key parenting issues found to be of relevance to members of culturally and linguistically diverse groups, including: intergenerational conflict arising from different acculturation rates; the protective factor of a bicultural parenting identity; knowledge of the school system; discipline options and child abuse laws; and how to gain support. The program was subsequently independently evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative information from both the process and outcomes of the program revealed that it was effective, particularly in fostering an understanding of the impact of culture on parenting, knowledge of the school system, non-physical disciplinary methods and child abuse laws. This study may be one of the first targeted ethnic parenting programs to be independently evaluated in Australia.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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