We Are Here for the Future of Our Kids: Parental Involvement in Refugee Adolescents’ Educational Endeavours in the United States

Abstract

Abstract Every year, thousands of young refugees and their families face challenges as they adjust to schools in the US. This article explores how families resettled to the US from conflict-affected, Arab-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, such as Iraq and Syria, view education, and how parents support their children’s education following the experiences of resettlement. To centre the voices and lived experiences of these families, we analysed focus group discussions with 30 adolescents and in-depth interviews with 30 parents and 27 key informants. Analysis using constant comparative method and thematic analysis showed that, upon resettlement, education remained highly valued by families. Our study finds that, despite the challenges associated with families’ newcomer status, parents in this study provided educational support to their children by engaging with the school and with their children’s learning at home. We offer suggestions on how schools and organizations can bolster parents’ ability to support their children’s education.