Transnational Family Practices in Indigenous Families from Oaxaca with Adult Migrant Children in the United States

Abstract

From a qualitative research, this paper examines the transnational practices that allow the maintenance of parent-child ties in families with adult migrant children from an indigenous community from Oaxaca, Mexico. The findings show that there are common practices shared by all families, as well as an interesting diversity of other practices strongly determined by factors such as the familiar life cycle, and particularly, the legal migratory situation of their members. This brings on important differences among the families in key aspects like the face-to-face contact and care-giving to aged parents.