Project
Philosophy
As members of the National Advisory Panel for this project we share
the following views and principles.
- We acknowledge that children all over the world do
not develop in isolation. Children need connection and responsive
relationships in order to develop a strong sense of self, security
and identity. We know that a strong source of this stability
comes from the initial attachment that children have to their
mothers and other primary caregivers. We also know that this
has an impact throughout an individual's lifetime.
- We work from the premise that, since the first influx
of Europeans, Canada has been a country of immigrants, and that
all who are not First Nations, are or have descended from immigrants.
While the aftermath of colonization has distinct impacts on
the attachment practices of First Nations peoples, this was
beyond the scope and mandate of this project. Within the context
of immigrant and immigrant descent groups, we have felt an obligation
to work toward a mutual understanding and exchange between those
who are recent immigrants, and those who are descendants of
earlier immigrants.
- We acknowledge and validate attachment practices used
by women and families across Canada who come from diverse backgrounds.
We pay particular attention to those techniques that have proved
to be critical in the healthy development and attachment of
children in their first five years of life and that allow them
to develop to their full potential.
- We acknowledge that whether by choice or in order to
survive migrating to a new country is one of the most stressful
experiences that people may endure. In addition, many women
and families have to struggle to understand and adapt to their
new living conditions. Their new country also needs to adjust
to them. Where this is less than ideal, a continuum of discrimination
and racism can add to parents' stress and ability to adapt.
This has a definite impact on the way they relate to those around
them and particularly to infants and young children. When parents
are exhausted, stressed or over-burdened by having to survive
on a daily basis, children may end up feeling inadequate and
rejected. Furthermore, they may perceive the world and themselves
as negative and hopeless. Meaningful support and understanding
are key to overcoming these feelings.
- We are aware that family conflict, violence and other
trauma experienced by the child during her or his first five
years of life may increase the child's sense of insecurity,
anxiety and inadequacy. Although not exclusive to immigrant
and refugee mothers and families, this is an area that requires
particular attention on the part of those who are providing
support services for them. These mothers and families have a
right to receive accurate information and timely support.
- We acknowledge that worldwide, the issues of parenting
and child rearing continue to be considered primarily the responsibility
of women. This work, most often in addition to other forms of
paid or unpaid work, remains undervalued and socially invisible
worldwide. We welcome and validate practices that promote change
in the status quo toward a shared responsibility for child rearing
and the advancement of women.
- We believe that as service providers we all have an
important role in validating and supporting a community's capacity
to raise healthy children and active citizens. Further, we can
only accomplish this in a climate of mutual learning and mutual
respect between those who provide service and those who receive
it.
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