An immigrant is a person who currently lives in Canada, for example, but was born in a different country (Statistics Canada, 2010). A refugee is a person who leaves their own country because of political oppression, religion oppression, or war. Refugees are often fleeing from danger and fear that they could be harmed if they return to their country (Settlement, 2011). Possible reasons why immigrants and refugees would want to come to Canada could be that they want to seek a better quality of life and they would want their family and themselves to feel safe.
Moving to a new and different country is a good thing, but there may also be some downsides. There may be large differences in culture, business, and social interactions. It is possible that adjusting to a new life can take a toll on an individual’s mental health.Some people immigrate as a family, mother, father, and children. Immigrant mothers face stresses of juggling parenting, chores around the home, finding work, and adjusting to Canada (Jetelina, 2011). All of these factors and more including social isolation, feelings of being overwhelmed, and financial problems could lead to depression (Jetelina, 2011).
Immigrant youth can also face challenges in their new home. It is already so difficult to fit in as a child anywhere, making new friends and being accepted are tasks almost everyone faces as a child. For immigrants it can be slightly more difficult. Most immigrant youth feels overwhelmed and alienated; they can be challenged with learning the language and overcoming social isolation (Canadian Council on Social Development). These differences and possible additional physical differences can make children easy victims in the school yard. Children that are bullied can lead to depression and anxiety (Pediatrics, 2006).
Depending on where the immigrant and/or refugee came from, they may be a different visual race. Even though there have been large steps away from racism, it can still exist and cause high levels of anxiety, depression and suicide (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2004).
Immigrants and refugees can differ in their reasoning behind coming to Canada, but they both face similar challenges and new residents. Schools can offer classes to children to help them learn English and/or French (Canadian Council on Social Development) which can be a great help in finding their place in Canadian Society. There are also many support groups all throughout Canada (e.g. Canadian Council for Refugees) that are open to anyone and can help with the depression and anxiety that comes with moving to a new country.
-Nicole (Nikki) S.
Statistics Canada, (December 2010) Definition of “Immigrant”
Settlement, (October 2011) How was Canada’s refugee system work?
Retrieved from: http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000347
Retrieved from: http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000347
Retrieved from: http://canadianimmigrant.ca/family/the-challenges-of-being-an-immigrant-mother/
Canadian Council on Social Development, (n.d.) Immigrant Youth in Canada: Highlights
Retrieved from: http://www.ccsd.ca/subsites/cd/docs/iy/hl.htm
Pediatrics Vol. 117 No. 5 May 1, 2006 pp. 1568 -1574 (doi: 10.1542/peds.2005-0187)
Retrieved from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/117/5/1568.full
Retrieved from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/117/5/1568.full
Ontario Human Rights Commission (December 2004) Racial Discrimination and Mental Health
Great post Nikki!
ReplyDeleteMoving to a new country is hard and their are lot's of barriers for them to face.I agree that many stresses arise because of different cultures, not knowing the native language and not fitting in. I think that there needs to be more organizations created to help them with these particular battles.
Sara
I always thought that moving at a younger age would be easier than at an older age especially in the case of immigrants and refugees. I thought it would be easier to learn a new culture, because you yourself have not been surrounded by your own culture for as long as your parents have. But great post nikki- it again just made my awareness even more on the hardships that immigrants and refugees face when moving into a culture that is no where similar to their own.
ReplyDelete-Morgan
I liked your point about how immigrants and refugees may all come from different backgrounds and have faced different struggles but they all have one thing in common by being new residents in Canada and that is having to go through things like culture shock after arriving in a completely new society, just to name one. Great post.
ReplyDelete-Yodit