Summary
Immigrants’ lives, relationships, and activities influence the social harmony and societal structure of the country of settlement as they become a part of the host country. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship pattern between Bangladeshi immigrant parents and their children in Portugal in terms of children’s education. The study was designed to explore the intergenerational relationship and conflict regarding education in immigrant families. Four Bangladeshi immigrant families, who had been living in Lisbon, were purposively selected. Using snowball sampling, four parents (3 fathers and one mother) and four children (sons from 1.5 generations) were reached to collect the data. In this study, the qualitative research approach was followed, and data were gathered through semi-structured interview guides. The study findings showed that immigrant Bangladeshi parents and children have a positive relationship but with some diversifications. Though parents cannot support children in their studies directly due to language barriers, busy work schedules, and lack of knowledge about the Portuguese education system, they used different strategies such as sending children to private English schools, recruiting private teachers at home, and monitoring study progress regularly, etc. On the other hand, children expressed respect for their parents and recognized their parents’ hardships although the parents had language barriers. Participants recommended that both parents and children should develop a friendly and sharing relationship for better family functioning.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Intergenerational relationships in immigrant families, Immigrant Bangladeshi families, Education and Immigrant Families, Family Welfare, and Youth Welfare.
