Newcomer Settlement Issues - Poverty and Consequences

One of the issues newcomers will face if they have never faced it before is poverty.  Poverty is relative. While in the refugee camp or in one’s country of origin, they may not have experience poverty because everyone lived basically at the same level, here in

Canada

, both children and adults will soon learn that they are poor and are at the bottom of the totem pole.  What that means is that children may feel disenfranchised and disheartened because they will not be able to live in nice houses like their friends, or wear the expensive brand name clothes, and shoes.  This disparity can result in a feeling of being very poor and less than accompanied by low self-esteem.

    Some children in this situation become vulnerable to those who prey on them. Girls might be lured into drug trafficking or prostitution as a way of keeping up with the Jones.

Parents risk losing their children to the street culture.

   If parents are aware of these pitfalls they can do some pro-active work to keep their children safe.

   - maintain a strict disciplinary code

-         keep children busy with community activities or with the church where they can be        exposed to positive role models

-         If it is a two-parent family then one family member should be home when the children arrive from school to make sure they are not alone because this often leads to problems of neglect.  Money is not more important than your children’s welfare!

-         Get your children involved in an after school program where they can get help with homework;

-         maintain your position as the parent in the household and not give over your powers to children because you are afraid of violating a family services law;

-         If you feel like you need help with the disciplining enlist the help of your pastor, a respected member of the community or with a service provider. There are many services available to help parents cope; get to know where these services are.

-         Not knowing English or French does not mean that a parent do not know how to parent. They have been parenting even before they came to

Canada

and they can continue what they have done before.

-         Put your family first, last and centre. Hold your children close to your heart with love and compassion, listen to them when they come home from school, give them lots of hugs.

 

These are some of the ways newcomers can cope until they get to know the system a little better.