"We Had No Better Choice": Early and Prolonged Parent-Child Separation in Chinese Immigrant Families

The present study aimed to understand the reasons for early and prolonged parent-child separation and its impacts among separated-reunited Chinese immigrant families. Chinese dual-earner immigrant parents, especially low-income families, are likely to send their newborns back to China to be raised by their extended families. Prior research has not yet sufficiently investigated the reasons for separation and how affected families perceive the benefits and costs, especially among those who have reunited years after separation. Based on one-on-one qualitative interviews (N = 48 in 24 parent-child dyads) and supplemental screening survey data (N = 142), we identified common reasons for separation, including involuntary reasons (e.g., financial difficulties and lack of child-rearing time) and voluntary reasons (e.g., building bonds with Chinese culture). In addition, we used thematic analysis for the 24 parent-child dyad interviews and explored the impact of early and prolonged parent-child separation (i.e., benefits and costs) perceived by the youth and their primary caregivers. Benefits of separation included improved financial and living situations and enhanced bonding with cultural origins. Costs they perceived included impaired relationships within nuclear families, substitute caregivers spoiling children, and introducing language barriers. These findings shed light on the development of policies and initiatives aiming to support Chinese immigrant families pre- and postseparation.