ABSTRACT

New in a foreign country – the importance of civic orientation

Jessica Gerhardt & Hiba Sultan

We have examined the information on parenting in Sweden that is given to new immigrants through civic orientation. The aim of the study was to investigate how new arrivals are being informed of Swedish laws and regulations relating to child rearing and corporal punishment. The study also aims to examine how a lack of information about raising children in civic orientation can affect newly arrived families. Our empirical work has been created by a focus group interview with the child and family unit on social services and a call interview with an SFI-teachers who teach newly arrived immigrants in civic orientation. The results were analyzed by a social psychological perspective that explains society's impact on the individual. The results show that all respondents agree that there are flaws in the civic orientation of newly arrived immigrants, both in terms of education and content. A lack of civic orientation can lead to children of new arrivals become physically and mentally abused according to Swedish law. Newly arrived families should be given guidance on which methods are appropriate for raising children in Sweden.

Keywords: civic orientation, child rearing, parenting, child abuse, aga-law