Intergenerational conflict among resettled South Sudanese in Australia

Bibliographic Data

ID2395482
AuthorsTroy Pittaway (0000-0002-6681-7908, Curtin University, corresponding author), Elisha Riggs (0000-0003-0799-7467, The University of Melbourne), Jaya Dantas (0000-0002-0625-4330, Curtin University)
Year2023
Volume60
Issue2
Pages215-225
Publication date2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTranscultural Psychiatric Research Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0041-1108 • E-ISSN: 0315-4386
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/13634615221105115
PMID35971563
OpenAlexW4291824944
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited29

South Sudanese families have faced many hardships in the process of acculturation to Australian society. This has led to rapid family breakdown amongst refugees from South Sudan who live in Melbourne, Australia, and has created tension between families, the wider South Sudanese community, and authorities. This qualitative study explores how shifting dynamics of religious faith, the concept of family and cultural values impacts South Sudanese families and young people. The study consisted of 23 semi-structured interviews, three focus groups and two feedback forums, gathering data from South Sudanese youth aged 14 to 21 years, social workers, elders and parents from the South Sudanese community. Several themes were identified including the impact of intergenerational conflict, coping with new freedoms in Australia, the associated tensions these freedoms create within the South Sudanese community, and young people's conflict with religion. The patriarchal system that underpins the family structure of the South Sudanese culture is under significant strain as women and children are becoming aware of their rights, resulting in friction between men and women, parents and children. Male elders believed the embracing of freedom by women and children was at the core of family breakdown, leading to cultural erosion, and was the root of the problems experienced by the youth. The church as a traditional meeting place and a centre point for social inclusion within the South Sudanese community remains relevant as an important factor in social networking for parents and elders but lacks relevance for many South Sudanese youth

Acculturation · Ethnic group · Faith · Focus group · Immigration · Inclusion (mineral · Political science · Qualitative research · Refugee · Social science · Sociology · Anthropology · Gender Studies · Health and Conflict Studies · Law · Migration, Health and Trauma · Religion, Society, and Development

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