There's no place like home: Hanaian and Nigerian-Canadian children sent "back home"

For many African immigrants to Canada, their reason of relocating can fall under a variety of push and pull factors of migration. Immigrants often settle in the host country and then have children. Many scholars have showcased the benefits of transnational ties for immigrants to their home country but rarely has this been examined through second generation immigrant children as being vessels of which this occurs. This research uncovered reasons why some Ghanaian and Nigerian-Canadian parents decided to send their Canadian born children to Ghana or Nigeria temporarily. Through qualitative data interviews with Ghanaian and Nigerian-Canadian parents from the Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area, this study explored how transnational identity impacted this type of migration for second generation African immigrant children in Canada. Through Durkheim’s socialization theory, the findings and themes explored the various aspects of transnational relationships and identities. Key Words: Transnationalism, Bifocality, Second Generation, Ghanaian/Nigerian-Canadian, Back Home, Socialization, Identity