CULTURAL TRANSMISSION IN CHILDREARING AMONG MOROCCAN MUSLIMS IN QUEBEC: PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

Abstract

As the Muslim population in Québec increases, evidence shows that practicing Muslim Moroccan immigrant parents perceive cultural transmission as extremely important in maintaining and promoting their children’s integration and success in their new society. They do, however, face many challenges in their negotiations of ethnic and host cultures, which will be further addressed herein. Social workers are positioned within a vital location in their capacity and commitment to promote culturally, religiously and socially informed interventions and support structures for these families and the challenges they may face. This article reveals an insider’s view on Muslim Moroccan immigrant parents’ childrearing strategies in the context of acculturation. Findings of the author’s qualitative study, along with other relevant literature, are used to identify five main strategies employed by Muslim Moroccan parents in transmitting culture values to their children, This article will discuss implications of these strategies  on frameworks of social work practice with these communities and outline social workers’ strategic roles in this process.