Abstract
This qualitative study focused on Indian immigrants’ parenting practices and experiences in the United States of America (U.S.). Indian immigrants have a long history of immigration in the U.S. since the early 19th century (Zong & Batalova, 2017). According to the most recent U.S. census (2015), there are nearly 2.4 million Indian immigrants residing in the U.S. and about 20 percent are residing in California (Zong & Batalova, 2015). Increasing numbers of Indian immigrants in the U.S. and in California offer a new opportunity for exploration of Indian immigrant parents’ child-rearing experiences. The purpose of the current study was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences Indian immigrant parents go through while raising their children in the U.S. environment. A total of four Indian immigrant parent dyads residing in Sacramento and San Jose, Northern California participated in this study. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews where each participant was interviewed separately. Data were analyzed using open coding technique and the conceptual framework of developmental niche. Findings show that the feelings and child-rearing experiences of Indian immigrant v parents centered around two dominant patterns: rewarding experiences and challenging experiences. The underlying themes about these patterns are discussed in this study. Educational infrastructure in the U.S, the multi-cultural perspective, and ability to nurture a stronger bond by spending more time with children were some of the factors that contributed towards favorable experiences. However, instilling specific ethnic values (empathy, humility), parenting concerns during adolescence years, and increasing gun violence in the U.S. contributed towards some of the challenges experienced by Indian immigrant parents. Thus, this study helped to further our understanding of the experiences and feelings Indian immigrant parents go through while raising their children in the U.S. The broader experiences discussed in the study can also be helpful for other immigrant communities raising their children in the U.S.