Proximity and distance in transnational families between Angola and Portugal

The contribution of information and communication technologies

Abstract

Globalization and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) brought individuals closer together and created conditions that help transnational families bridge geographical distance, allowing them to stay connected. Research on transnational family life shows that there are often changes in the relationship between parents and children, highlighting the importance of maintaining the frequency of contacts and daily interaction. Based on a qualitative, multi-localized methodology, grounded on interviews with migrant parents in the contexts in which they live − Angola and Portugal −, and with children (daughters of migrant parents) in Angola, this article aims to understand if and how the relationship between parents and children was influenced by the migration of parents as well as to identify practices carried out by migrant parents in their parenting at a distance.