International Mothers in Motion: Navigating and Supporting Their Children’s Educational Journeys in the U.S.

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Unforgetting Family Wisdom: Immigrant Journeys, Engagement, and Educational Futures

Abstract

This study examines how international mothers interpret and enact their roles in supporting their children’s transition into U.S. schools. Using Community Cultural Wealth and narrative positioning frameworks, the research highlights how mothers draw on cultural, linguistic, and aspirational resources while positioning themselves as advocates, cultural brokers, and moral guides. Based on narrative interviews with twelve mothers from countries including India, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Bangladesh, China, and Bangladesh, findings reveal how they navigate school-home communication, reframe parental involvement, and adapt across cultural contexts. Their stories challenge deficit perspectives and emphasize parental agency often overlooked in mainstream models. This ongoing study offers insights into how international families reshape parental engagement in pursuit of equity, belonging, and educational success within the U.S. context.

Author

• Fatemeh Mozaffari, University at Buffalo - SUNY