Understanding and treating African immigrant families: new questions and strategies

Abstract

In her very important article published in Family Process, Falicov (2007) recognized the need for expanding the dominant Western notions of the family, community and culture and to adopt new theory and treatment considerations for working with transnational immigrants. Unfortunately, her discussion, despite its originality and significance, was largely limited to addressing the problems and challenges faced by well‐established immigrants, who present with symptoms precipitated by relational stresses and difficult choices. This article draws attention to another category of immigrants – the Green‐Carded African Immigrants in Europe and North America, whose special concerns and problems were left unaccounted for in Falicov's contribution. It aims to broaden and extend the current Western frameworks for understanding and treating the psychological needs and challenges of transnational immigrants. In this regard, it is argued that in addition to such currently existing Western models for working with established immigrants in Europe and North America (Falicov, 2003, 2007), successful work with Green‐Carded African immigrants must begin by taking into account their journey motif; their narratives of hope and significance and failed constructions, and the cosmopolitan perspective of these immigrants. The article clarifies these issues, introducing new concepts and strategies for working with African immigrant families in Europe and North America.