Integrating Children into Families Separated by Migration: A Caribbean-American Case Study

Abstract

Caribbean peoples have been migrating to the United States for over one hundred years. Since the liberation ofimmigration policy in 1965, migrationfrom the Caribbean has increased considerably and has presented with an interesting permutation. Many single mothers have migrated leaving young children behind until the mother’s situation is stable in the United States. Upon reunification of child and parent, there are reports ofmarked adjustment difficulties. This paper examines one such case, which was presented for mandated treatment. Issues around intention strategy and implementation are explored in detail with references to case history and clinical theory.