Separation, reunification and the hybridization of culture: A study of Caribbean immigrant families in Toronto

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of the separation and reunification process on Caribbean immigrant families. Using as my conceptual framework cultural hybridization, I explored and discussed with the participants in this study both the Caribbean and Canadian social and cultural contexts of their life experiences.

The methodological approach to the research study was qualitative. In depth interviews were conducted with nine participants consisting of three adults and six youths. The interviews focused on problems and issues such as the personal values and socii-cultural norms which influenced and shaped the parent-child relationships in both Caribbean and Canadian contexts. Through analysis of the data, major themes were identified that revealed some of the factors which impacted both positively and negatively on the separation and reunification experiences of these adults, youths and their families. Cultural hybridization was also a useful way of approach in this study because it helps to identify, illuminate and explain how some of the differences in cultural and social patterns between the Canadian and Caribbean contexts can be problematic between the parents and children during the separation and after the reunification.

Cultural hybridization was also a useful way of approach in this study because it helps to identify, illustrate and explain how some of the differences in cultural and social patterns between the Canadian and Caribbean contexts can be problematic between the parents and children during the separation and after the reunification. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)