Ethnic Socialization in the Transnational Context of Mexican Immigrant Families: An Ecological Framework

There is minimal research examining the relevance of a transnational context for understanding immigrant parents’ acculturation experiences and ethnic socialization practices. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between the acculturation, ethnic socialization practices, and transnationalism of Mexican immigrant mothers (N = 60) living in Chicago. Using hierarchical linear regression analysis, different dimensions of acculturation and transnationalism were tested as predictors of ethnic socialization practices (i.e., cultural socialization, preparation for bias, use of cultural resources), controlling for demographic variables. The construct of transnationalism was composed of two dimensions: transnational network and transnational practices, and conceptualized as the degree of orientation or connectedness to family, friends, or community in immigrants’ nation of origin. In addition to testing transnational network and practices as predictors of ethnic socialization, they were also tested as moderators of the relationship between the dimensions of acculturation and dimensions of ethnic socialization. Results indicated that Mexican and American acculturation dimensions significantly predicted preparation for bias. Also, a larger transnational network and more transnational practices predicted more preparation for bias and use of cultural resources. Both transnational dimensions also moderated the relationship between Mexican and American acculturation dimensions with preparation for bias and use of cultural resources. The findings are discussed in terms of expanding our understanding of acculturation and ethnic socialization by addressing the transnational context of Mexican immigrant families.