Expat families often face a lot of challenges as they settle in to a new country and culture. Understanding the roles of each family member can help ease the process at the outset - or even solve differences before the erupt into full blown problems that can threaten your expat assignment or relocation. Our article How Family Roles Impact Expat Families offers some insight into how to make this happen.
The Importance of Family Roles
Family roles are the responsibilities and patterns of behavior each person takes on within the household. These roles provide stability, ensuring that tasks are shared and emotional needs are met. Parents may typically act as caregivers and decision-makers, while children might focus on learning and contributing in age-appropriate ways.
In family therapy, experts such as Salvador Minuchin have explored how clear, flexible roles help families function well. When roles are unclear or rigid, families can struggle with conflict and stress. Moving abroad often tests these roles, making it crucial to reassess and adjust them to fit the new environment.
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Challenges of Moving Abroad
For families, the expatriate experience introduces unique pressures that can disrupt established roles:
- New Work-Life Demands: A parent's new job might require more hours, shifting caregiving to the other parent or older children.
- Different Cultural Norms: The host culture may have expectations for parenting, relationships, or household roles that differ from your home country.
- Language and Integration: Children often adapt faster to the local language, which may lead to them acting as translators or cultural guides.
- Loss of Familiar Support: Moving away from extended family and friends can amplify stress and force nuclear family members to rely more on each other.
Adapting Roles in a New Culture
Successful adjustment to life abroad requires families to revisit their roles and responsibilities. Clear communication and flexibility are essential as everyone learns to navigate new routines and cultural expectations. Here are a few strategies:
- Redistribute Responsibilities: Identify areas where roles need to change, such as who manages daily tasks or supports children in school.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Recognize that it may take time to feel settled and that trial and error are part of the process.
- Stay Flexible: Roles may continue to evolve as your family becomes more familiar with the new culture.
