Child Rearing Ethnic Minorities (Bilingual Education and Bilingualism)

This volume offers insights into the child-rearing practices of the generations of the '70s and '90s from an ethnic minority (Punjabi) community living in Britain. The perspective is cross-cultural, comparing the views both of indigenous mothers in the Punjab and white mothers in the UK. The topics covered include rituals surrounding pregnancy, pre-natal care, the significance of religion, the learning of the mother tongue, bilingualism, identity and racism. What emerges is a picture of a community which is trying to reconcile the old traditions of their home country with the modern norms of their host society. The major pattern is that of continuity and change: this is illustrated throughout the book by the views of the mothers themselves. The findings highlight the relevance of the book's concern to ethnic minorities throughout Europe and North America.