Fatherhood in the context of immigration

Despite its critical relevance, the study of immigrant fathers is still very incipient. Whereas the current core of research on immigrant families focuses primarily on mothers and children, the study of fatherhood in the context of immigration was neglected. In this chapter we highlight the need for relevant studies to provide the ground for developing integrative theories, competent practices and services, and responsive policies. The chapter is organized around three sections. It starts by introducing the debate between opposing theoretical approaches: the "deficit perspective" and the "generative/resilience" perspective, approaches utilized so far in the study of immigrant fathers. The second section of the chapter, "Immigrant Fathers: Effects of Immigration," summarizes the body of knowledge gained through the study of immigrant fathers and families around main research questions: Who are the immigrant fathers? How does immigration affect immigrant fathers' identities? How does immigration affect fathers' roles and practices? How does immigration affect father-child relations, child outcomes, and child socialization? The third section of the chapter, "Immigrant Fathers: Methodological Challenges," outlines various scholars' critiques and suggestions related to methodological issues in immigrant fathers' studies. In this framework, we discuss challenges of sampling and recruitment; research design and analysis; a call for discovering more fathering constructs and dynamics; and the need for longitudinal, comparative, multilevel, and multidisciplinary studies. The chapter concludes with practical implications and conclusions.