Transition to Adulthood in the Post-Migratory Context: African Youth and Their Families in Canada

Amelie A. Gagnon, Université de Montréal
Nathalie K. Mondain, Université de Montréal

Parenting styles and parent-child relationships play a fundamental role in the adolescent transition process to adulthood, affecting mainly sexual and reproductive health behaviors and outcomes. However, few studies have analysed these interplays within the context of a family’s migration history. Our work subscribes to the emerging adulthood theory and the life course approach in social sciences. We focus on emerging adults and their parents from the sub-Saharan region who migrated to Montréal (Canada) during the 1990s and compare them to long-time settlers of European descent. The ways intergenerational relationships influence adolescents’ behaviors and the extent to which gender roles and relationships influence sexual behaviors among cultural groups are addressed. Preliminary results of focus groups and in-depth interviews show that while some strategies are widely shared by parents from each group (e.g., sexual education), specific perceptions vary (e.g., on reproductive outcomes, sexual education, and sexual activity).