Experiences of Children of First-Generation Migrants in Nepal

Year: 2021
Chhabilal Devkota
Master in Social Work (MSW), Tribhuvan University
Sanjeev Dahal
PhD Fellow in Social Work, Boston College

This paper describes the psychosocial experiences of children of first-generation migrants at destination. It brings out the hopes and aspirations of migrants along with the reasons of migration from their origin and analyzes the cultural differences and socialization practices adopted by second generation immigrants. Children of first-generation immigrants from Tibet and India comprised the sampling frame for the qualitative study. Data was collected through convenient sampling technique and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used as tools. In- depth interviews were conducted with nine individuals for the study. Thematic analysis was employed to examine the data. The key findings of the study regarding reasons for migration were that opportunities for business, earning a livelihood or developing career, availability of good education, and suitable climate and culture served as reasons for immigration to Nepal, and lack of opportunities for employment and instances of violence at their place of origin pushed them away from destination. The study found that early school experiences facilitated comfortable relationship with teachers primarily for children who shared origin with their teachers. A clear religious segregation was also observed among the immigrants with Indians staying in predominantly Hindu communities and Tibetans in Buddhist communities. The paper also found that supportive behaviour of the locals towards immigrants facilitated acculturation, and high hopes and aspirations of parents along with belief in god helped them to cope with the aftermaths of migration. 

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