Transnationalism, Cultural Capital, and Parenting Strategies: Astronaut Chinese Immigrant Families' Investment in Second Language and Literacy Learning in Canada

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Family-School-Community Partnerships Poster Session

Abstract

Canada has witnessed in recent years drastic increases in “astronaut families” among Chinese newcomers with one parent (mostly fathers) being absent from working outside Canada, and the other residing in Canada to care for their children and ensure their school success. This transnational arrangement has resulted in intensification of parenting at home and different communication and negotiating patterns with mainstream schools. Based on 30 interviews with 15 pairs of Chinese parents and their adolescent children who are such transnational families, this paper describes the parents’ and youths’ intense outside-of-school strategies (tutoring and extracurricular activities) as well as strategic negotiation with schools around language learning support. The presentation will conclude with important implications for teaching in the context of transnationalism.

Author

• Guofang Li, University of British Columbia