Although long-distance parenting is often depicted as a response to crisis (e.g., economic) or other stressful life events, it is sometimes undertaken in various culturally normative situations. This current study explores the motivations of South Asian Indian immigrant parents for sending their young children to India to live temporarily with their grandparents. This qualitative study involves in-depth interviews with first generation immigrant parents about their experiences and motivations for sending their children to India. Analysis of the data revealed five themes, namely, (a) contextual and daily challenges in caring for their children in the United States, (b) parents’ concern around paid group childcare, (c) grandparents as ideal caregivers but unable to stay in the United States, (d) presence of other extended network of relationships and support in India and (e) parents wanting their children to maintain their language and customs. Findings suggest culturally grounded beliefs around optimal childrearing (e.g., grandparents as ideal caregivers, presence of extended network of support in India and maintaining Indian traditions and values) and parents’ contextual needs (e.g., parents’ busy schedule around job and education) when traditional caregiving context changes due to migration to a new country. Implications for researchers are discussed.

中文翻译：

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“为什么我送我的孩子走了”

尽管长距离育儿通常被描述为对危机（例如经济）或其他压力性生活事件的反应，但有时在各种文化规范的情况下进行。这项当前的研究探讨了南亚印度移民父母驱使年幼的孩子到印度与祖父母临时生活的动机。这项定性研究包括对第一代移民父母的深入访谈，以了解他们将子女送往印度的经历和动机。对数据的分析揭示了五个主题，即（a）在美国照看孩子的背景和日常挑战，（b）父母对带薪团体托儿服务的关注，（c）祖父母是理想的照料者，但无法留下来美国，（d）在印度存在其他扩展的关系和支持网络，以及（e）希望孩子保持其语言和习俗的父母。研究结果表明，在传统育儿中，围绕最佳育儿的文化基础信念（例如，祖父母是理想的照料者，在印度存在扩展的支持网络并保持印度的传统和价值观）以及传统时父母的情境需求（例如，父母忙于工作和教育的日程安排）由于迁移到新国家而导致的护理环境的变化。讨论了对研究人员的影响。当传统照护环境由于移民到新国家而发生变化时，在印度存在扩展的支持网络并保持印度的传统和价值观）以及父母的背景需求（例如，父母忙于工作和教育的日程安排）。讨论了对研究人员的影响。当传统照护环境由于移民到新国家而发生变化时，在印度存在扩展的支持网络并保持印度的传统和价值观）以及父母的背景需求（例如，父母忙于工作和教育的日程安排）。讨论了对研究人员的影响。