By: Elvira Craig de Silva, DSW, ACSW

Even under the best of circumstances and with a hopeful attitude about what may happen in the near future, relocation entails uprooting and provokes anxiety. This happens to people coming from abroad as well as to the people within our own country who move from one part of the nation to another. They find different local customs, different ethnic groups and, maybe, different political approaches to basic issues.

It is common for people to experience a temporary sense of disenfranchisement. These feelings often relate to not knowing what is expected or accepted in the new environment and what kind of reception awaits them.

When there is also a language barrier the situation becomes aggravated. The conditions for thriving and succeeding are hampered by the everyday struggle for survival and integration.

People that relocate come from diverse areas, geographical points, social status, etc.  in their country of origin as well as within the US. It is essential therefore, to ascertain and learn under what circumstances they moved (natural disasters, economic adversity, political persecution). Have they come from rural, isolated regions, semi-rural, large or small urban environments? Have they come alone, in a family group, do they have extended families locally or a network of support?

All these aspects have implications not only in terms of their adaptation and functioning but in terms of their utilization of services, from the local school system to law enforcement, and in particular, the utilization of medical and social services.

If they come from another country, it is important to obtain some information about the ethnic, political, and socioeconomic background of that area of the world.  Those factors may influence their perception of social workers and their interaction with us.  In some areas of the world social workers are seen only as another arm of the government, and governments are not always seen as friends of the people.

More often than not, the host society is not prepared for the newcomers or for the changes they bring to the dynamics of neighborhoods and social institutions.  But, probably, the ones that are relocating are the least prepared and the most surprised by the changes and challenges taking place within their group, themselves, and their family units.

It is important for us as social workers, to be cognizant of those potential changes and be alert to the symptoms which may reflect or could be indicants of social dysfunction.  Equally important is to be able to differentiate between what is related to pre-existing conditions, and that which has been triggered by the relocation.

One of the areas in which changes and difficulties tend to appear first is in the family unit. In many families parents have been traditionally the ones who set the patterns for the collective behavior of the family. Values, beliefs, ways of conducting relations, gender expectations and communication styles are transmitted to the young generations.  This provides for continuity and a degree of comfort, even when intergenerational differences are present.  The family has a balance of power, and there are some clearly defined roles and lines of authority.

However, when the parents do not know the language, of necessity, they begin to depend more on the children, as the children tend to learn the language faster and better than the adults through school, in the neighborhood and from TV shows. A process of role reversal takes place.

 Soon the children become more than language translators.  They become the interpreters of the culture.  The information and cultural messages the parents receive reflect reality as filtered through the children’s perception.  The children become the essential vehicle of communication and interaction with schools, health providers, government and community services.  Their status in the family grows and this may alter the household dynamics.

The established behavioral framework of reference that had always been provided by the parents or the elders, begins to shift from them to the children.  If this trend continues uninterrupted, the children will set the standards and develop the framework within which the parent will act, thus transforming the whole balance of power in the family.

This scenario sets the stage for confusion and self doubt for parents and other family members.  A sense of frustration and powerlessness overcomes the family unit creating negative results for everyone involved.

The parents’ level of education, literacy, awareness and assertiveness certainly plays a big role here but many times they cannot manage all these events by themselves.

This is where social workers can be instrumental in helping maintain or restore a healthy equilibrium in the home and encourage their contributions to the area in which they have relocated. As social workers we can help prevent disruption in family relations by facilitating  the development of interaction skills for parents and children working with schools and training agencies’ personnel and the community  at large.

We need to ensure that the services people receive are culturally responsive to their needs and that they know how to access the resources that will provide them with the necessary safety net  to move forward. Their success will be also our country’s success.