Research that Benefits Children and Families

If I were given the ability to conduct research on something, I would look into the topic of immigration and the way that it effects a child's growth. Moving from one country to another, especially during your formative years, often has impacts that many families wouldn't necessarily think about when making the move. Many families want what is best for their children but often don't think about the fact that they may be causing lasting issues to their child's development. Or that giving them the opportunity to prosper in a new environment may have lasting effects on things that the parents wish to hold onto, such as cultural norms or traditions that have been around the family for years.

I think that doing research on such a topic would allow us to see what immigrant families consider important to themselves and their children. We want to make sure that they are comfortable in this country and that they feel content with their choice. Making sure that their cultural ideals and that their traditions get to stay strong within their families while helping them to take in the other cultural ideals and traditions in their new surroundings is something that we should be working to help facilitate. It allows them to feel more at home and at peace. And their children don't have to feel conflicted about being a part of their peer group or staying faithful to their family roots.