EXPERIENCES OF THE ACCULTURATING IMMIGRANT MOTHERS WITH TURKISH BACKGROUNDS IN SWEDEN Values in a Changing Context

Abstract

Aim: The general goal of the study is to understand the experiences of acculturating mothers with a Turkish background who live in Sweden. The study aimed in particular at identifying and understanding possible changes in the parental behaviors and beliefs of mothers during the acculturation process, most notably at individual level. Theory: In order to gain insight in to the experiences of these mothers, Berry’s acculturation theory and several concepts such as culture, value and parenting were used to comprehend the experience of the mothers. Method: Three Turkish immigrant mothers were interviewed separately. Furthermore, the collected data is analyzed by using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results of the in-depth interviews show that they are in favor of maintaining their heritage culture in the private domain (separation), as they speak Turkish and have close family ties and friendships with other Turkish people. On the other hand, they show a tendency to establish contact with Swedish people in the locality, and they participate socially by joining public domains (integration) as they start to work and speak Swedish. With regards to parenting, the maternal practices and beliefs of the mothers are mostly adopted from their society of origin. Indeed, they tend to maintain the characteristics of collective family system of their home country culture. As a result, they expect similar heritage culture attitudes and values from their children.