Perceptions and practices of parenting among Nigerian immigrant fathers in Portugal

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions and practices of parenting among Nigerian immigrant fathers in Portugal, what cultural values they transmit to their children and how easy or difficult is it for Nigerian immigrant fathers to practice parenting. The aim was to understand if migrating to a new country with different culture and values brings changes in the way parenting is perceived and practiced by Nigerian immigrant fathers. This was a qualitative study among 6 fathers with children born here or who brought them to Portugal. This study fills the gap on migration from a specific African country, Nigeria, into a European country, Portugal, with insights on their experiences. The data was collected through in-depth individual interviews which were conducted in English with the aid of open-ended, semi structured questions. The research found out that Nigerian immigrant fathers perceived parenting as being the head of the family and provider. The research also found out that the Nigerian immigrant father’s parenting style could not be incorporated into a single parenting style as suggested by Baumrind (1967), since it constituted of components of both the authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles. I also found that parenting for Nigerian immigrant fathers in Portugal was affected by native culture, children's reactions, Portuguese laws and norms and social support systems.