Family resources for promoting positive development among minority children: European perspectives

Abstract

The focus of this chapter is the role of family factors in fostering positive development among minority children in Europe. The historical overview highlights the heterogeneity among minority families in Europe, differences between indigenous minorities and immigrant minorities and related cross-country differences. The focus of the following sections is mainly on immigrant minority families. Current key research questions relate to families' coping with challenges resulting from migration, cultural distance, and socio-economic strain. Empirical studies rely mainly on large representative surveys within one or across several European countries but also include some observational, qualitative, and intervention studies. The findings discussed in this chapter address changing family forms, point to strong family ties among immigrant families, provide evidence for the general benefits of parental involvement and care, and highlight the role of early daycare and parental involvement in children's schooling. The chapter concludes with policy implications and directions for future research.