Parental perspectives on parent-child conflict and acculturation in Iranian immigrants in California

Acculturation--defined as "moving toward a (new) culture"--is a process that can impact many aspects of life for immigrants and their families. Older and younger immigrant generations may not engage to the same extent with the host culture in their new country. These acculturation gaps are often evident when examining relationships between immigrant parents and their children. Tension and conflict may arise in families when "messages from the culture of origin and host culture become difficult to reconcile." This study examined the relationship between first generation immigrant parent acculturation and conflict with second generation children in an Iranian immigrant community in California. Results of the study, which focused on the parents' perspective, found that parents with a lower level of acculturation were slightly more likely to experience conflicts with their children. However, the relationship between household income and parent-child conflict was stronger, indicating that lower-income Iranian immigrant families experienced significantly more conflict than wealthier families. These findings illustrate the need for service providers and educators working with immigrant families to recognize the impact that both acculturation and income may have on family functioning. (Immigrant Integration Lab)

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