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The Transnational Lives of American–Israeli Mothers

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Abstract

An increasing number of migrants around the world maintain strong, simultaneous connections in their countries of origin as well as their countries of residence. American women in Israel are one migrant group representing this worldwide phenomenon. These women’s transnationalism extends to the entire family unit: having both the means and the desire, they move with their husbands and children between the USA and Israel. The decision to live this way has significant implications for the lives and social development of their children. The mothers place great importance on the transnational lifestyle and on their homeland. While this may pose challenges to their children’s development and adjustment, the mothers often do not see—or acknowledge—these difficulties. Our study offers an in-depth view of the impact of transnational migration on the family. Implications for practice and policy are suggested in the article.

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Notes

  1. The first author is a North American transnational mother herself, who meets all the criteria for participation in the study.

  2. As we concentrated on the roles of the mothers, we did not interview or include husbands in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Criminology, The Center for the Study of Society, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel

    Laura I. Sigad

  2. Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel

    Rivka A. Eisikovits

Authors
  1. Laura I. Sigad
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  2. Rivka A. Eisikovits
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Correspondence to Laura I. Sigad.

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Sigad, L.I., Eisikovits, R.A. The Transnational Lives of American–Israeli Mothers. Int. Migration & Integration 16, 455–467 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-014-0350-8

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