by Jeffrey Warner
University of Minnesota Family Social Science department graduate students gathered twice monthly throughout the Fall 2019 semester as an immigrant and refugee family discussion and work group.
Facilitated by Dr. Jaime Ballard and Dr. Catherine Solheim, this think tank’s purpose was to promote interdisciplinary understanding of research on immigrant and refugee families, to discuss research practices pertaining to immigrant and refugee families, and to open space for group members to share knowledge regarding the migrant and refugee phenomenon. These discussions were backboned by peer-reviewed articles published by Minnesota scholars about topics such as health and spirituality, family relationships and resilience, mental health, technology and economic well-being, as well as cultural adaptations.
Guest speakers joined this group, fielded questions, and offered expert input. One speaker was Pamela Zeller. In addition to being a nonprofit management consultant, Zeller is the executive director of Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment (WISE; www.womenofwise.org). This is a non-governmental organization focusing on educational and economic empowerment for immigrant and refugee women, so they can succeed through advocacy and culturally competent services.
Zeller’s four decades of community outreach experience fueled a dynamic discussion regarding immigrant and refugee families’ economic well-being, as well as other topics. The following is a framework of this exchange.
Plight of Immigration, and Cultural Roles
Ms. Zeller discussed with students how Americans comprise an individualistic cultural socio-fabric, which frequently does not coincide with immigrants’ cultural traditions and related expectations. Migrants to Minnesota, such as those from Southeast Asia, live as and for family. Often, their sense of personal worth is rooted in how these cultural roles are fulfilled.
For example, young migrants generally live with their family. If they are earning money, these funds are shared. Even married couples sometimes live with family and remain tied to their parents’ financial practices; again, resources are pooled. Males and females have respective roles and responsibilities, and this varies with different ethnicities and generations.
Another example is of a Karen father living in Minnesota and who refused to retire so that his children could save and invest in their future rather than send remittances to the family. This is an example of how one man navigates two cultures. He worked beyond retirement to send remittances home, fulfilling his own native cultural obligations; this is while allowing his children freedom to save and pioneer their own life path (in accordance with American cultural expectations) and also capacitating his children to lessen their plight in life.
A Multitude of Stressors
While refugees and migrants’ overall situation upon arrival to the USA may be more favorable than what they had prior experienced, life during the transition is arduous, to say the least. A number of obstacles and a steep learning curve often adds to the overall difficulty.
For example, refugees must quickly how learn to navigate new systems and well enough to secure employment and income. While the government provides them with some startup money — contrary to some public discourse regarding how much support they actually receive — refugees in Minnesota must otherwise pay their way. This is often accomplished with a loan, which must be repaid within six months.
Another challenge for them is becoming suddenly plunged into the U.S. financial system that contrasts their life experiences and worldview. For example, credit and debt in America is a cultural norm. However, in some countries, such as those from where migrants come, home ownership is part of the socio-fabric but not credit and debt. Some refugees even were nomads! How can they become quickly competent at navigating their new world in the USA?
Many migrants, in addition to experiencing massive culture shock, are enduring post-traumatic stress (PTSD) from their experiences in their country of origin or the refugee camp. For the reality is that immigrants were forced to emigrate from one place and now must integrate into another; this is while enduring internalized oppression amid the realities of American national culture.
Implications for Programs and Policies
Zeller stressed the importance of refugees (and those who are working with them) becoming culturally oriented. Migrants need to be granted space for learning and growth. Education is a huge equalizer. English language education (particularly that which is trade-based, so they can secure employment), and practice is vitally necessary. Moreover, the formidable barriers immigrants face in obtaining safe and affordable healthcare, as well as navigating transportation and overall life responsibilities, need to be acknowledged. A community worker must understand the entire picture. Creativity is required.
Zeller said that what is needed is for people to become unified through language, spirituality, music, dance, and an overall desire to support one another. She added that there is a disconnect between older and younger generations, and the elders need their contribution space.
Vital for refugees is that they hold pride in who they are. We as the hosting country should support immigrants in sharing in their culture, about what they value, and illuminate their profound successes while walking such a courageous path.