| Roundtable 1: Migration and the Family By Jaime Inclan This roundtable session proved to be rich, informative,
and active in participation. Graciela Graschinsky de Cohan (Argentina) presented
a theoretical paper with an emphasis on "differentiating between forced
and chosen migrations: how the failure to address the dynamics of immigration
leaves a legacy of unfinished business for subsequent generations."
Sandra Mattar (Venezuela) reflected on her own experience with multiple immigration
and on the identity definitions that were applied to her throughout those
migrations. She related how identity definitions arose based on the definitions
of self provided by the societies that she lived in: in Lebanon she was viewed
as American; in Venezuela as Turkish; and as a minority in the United States.
Dr. Mattar raised questions about the relativity of these assigned definitions
of self and the personal consequences for identity and self-esteem. Jean Turner
(Canada) and Mirna Carranza (El Salvador) presented their work in Ontario
with Central American Immigrant families. They offered a practical clinical
framework emphasizing the dimensions of Resilience (ability to cope and regenerate)
and Resistance (protesting abuse and discrimination). Family types range from
high resilience and high resistance families to low resilience and low resistance
families. Group discussion followed. The transgenerational
transmission process of unresolved loss was further elaborated upon. The need
to exercise caution about describing as cultural traits identifiers that might
otherwise be associated with social exclusion and marginalization was commented
upon. The dialectical relationship between asserting one's categories
of identity and respecting those of others was discussed. The experiences
of other therapists from varied backgrounds working with different populations
corroborated and expanded the insights shared by the group presenters. The dynamics of adaptation and affirmation of one's
culture were a common theme throughout the presentations. Turner and Carranza
offered a model for understanding this theme based on the concepts of Resistance
and Resilience. In this model, families can be viewed as more closely resembling
one of the four possible types: high resistance and high resilience; high
resistance, low resilience; high resilience, low resistance; and low resistance
and low resilience. Recommendations were offered for therapists working with
these families: Historicize—bring forth the unique migration
narrative Identify Oppression and Acts of Resistance—therapist
initiates exploration Support Family Resilience and Provide Resources—develop
strategies for successful adaptation Transcontextualize—help client understand
adaptation in context Validate—witness the losses and gains of the
migration experience Dr. Mattar led the group in discussions about the
home utopia; minority versus majority identity; racism and discrimination;
ethnic pride, self-esteem, and stereotypes; host/cultural interpreter; bridging
the Gap; and revisiting the self through a cross-cultural perspective. Dr. Graschinsky de Cohan presented her views with
emphasis on: migration as a traumatic experience; migration and the transgenerational
transmission process; and, the need to rewrite the family history For further information, presenters can be contacted
via e-mail at the following addresses. Graciela Graschinsky de Cohan: gracoh@ciudad.com.ar Jean Turner and Mirna Carranza: jturner@uoguelph.ca Sandra Mattar: pestana@ce.berkeley.edu Jaime Inclan, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of
Psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine and the Founder and Director of the Roberto
Clemente Center. He has held different AFTA positions including Program Chair
(1993) and Board of Directors Member. |
