Cultural Influences on Parenting Practices in Immigrant Families

Parenting in immigrant families is shaped by the interplay between heritage cultural norms and the expectations of the host society. Migrant parents draw on deeply held values about family obligations, authority and communal support while navigating new social systems, educational settings and linguistic environments. These dual influences can lead to hybrid practices in discipline, communication and emotional support. Cultural norms inform parental strategies for fostering children’s autonomy, interdependence and academic aspirations. At the same time, experiences of discrimination, socioeconomic challenges and language barriers may prompt parents to adapt or reinforce particular styles of supervision and encouragement. Across diverse immigrant communities, parents negotiate the transmission of cultural identity alongside the need to prepare children for success in a different cultural context. This dynamic process affects parent–child relationships, sibling roles and intergenerational understanding, with implications for children’s social adjustment, mental well-being and educational outcomes. Globalisation and transnational ties have further diversified the resources and expectations that immigrant families bring to parenting, highlighting the importance of contextually sensitive support and interventions.

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Technical terms

Acculturation: The process by which individuals adopt the cultural traits or social patterns of another group, often leading to shifts in beliefs, values and behaviours.

Familism: A cultural value that emphasises strong identification with and loyalty to the nuclear and extended family, prioritising collective well-being over individual goals.

Generational acculturation gap: Differences in the pace or degree of cultural adaptation between parents and children, which can impact family communication and cohesion.

Psychoeducational programme: An intervention combining educational and psychological strategies to improve knowledge, coping skills and family functioning.

References

1. Culture and parenting: Polish migrant parents’ perspectives on how culture shapes their parenting in a culturally diverse Irish neighbourhood. Journal of Family Studies (2023).
2. Different perceptual worlds: Parent and youth perspectives on parenting outcome trajectories from a Latino family‐based program. Family Process (2024).