Cultural scripts of parenting and state institutions in the context of post-socialist migrations: Russian-speaking migrant parents in Finland

Ruottunen, Sonja (2022) Cultural scripts of parenting and state institutions in the context of post-socialist migrations: Russian-speaking migrant parents in Finland. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis provides an in-depth, qualitative study of Russian-speaking migrant parents’ experiences of parenting and state institutions in Finland. The fieldwork for this study was conducted from June 2018 to May 2019, focusing on the capital area and the city of Tampere in southern Finland. This study contributes to migration studies through a transnational framework. Analysing how migrant parents understand and conceptualise parenting in a transnational environment, this study provides new insights to the formation of transnational identities. Moreover, this study investigates the roles of state institutions as a part of this transnational environment, giving the study practical and political implications.

The framework of cultural scripts of parenting takes centre stage in this study. Echoing existing research on socio-cultural identities, cultural scripts are understood as flexible models of behaviour, a ‘tool kit’ from which identities are constructed. Significantly, as a framework cultural script presumes an interaction between the individual, community, and social norms. Rather than straight-forward socialisation from above to a role such as that of a mother or a father, the process is more complex. Individuals become mothers and fathers by taking part in available practices and discourses that define them as such in the eyes of others and themselves. By analysing data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Russian-speaking migrant parents, the research investigates what kind of elements migrant parents draw on to construct their cultural scripts of parenting, including how a good parent interacts with state institutions and uses public services.

This study frames parenting as a historically and socially situated cultural product. Russian-speaking migration in Finland is placed into the context of postsocialist migrations. This study particularly analyses how historical legacies are present in the ways in which Russian-speaking parents in Finland describe their relationship. Through the framework of cultural scripts, this study offers an innovative way of analysing transnational identities and practices.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman; J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration; P Language and Literature > PG Slavic, Baltic, Albanian languages and literature
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Kay, Professor Rebecca, Bracke, Dr. Maud and Cheskin, Dr. Ammon
• Date of Award: 2022
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2022-82955
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2022 14:12
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2022 14:15
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.82955
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/82955