ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has sharpened the inequalities in our societies. In Spain, we observed that the impact on schooling varied according to socioeconomic, gender and sociocultural variables. In this article, we present a case analysis illustrating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schooling in early educational grades (ages 3-6), which leads us to focus on school-family relationship. First, we present some studies that show the inequalities in education during the lockdown period, the digital divide faced by both schools and families and how digital mediation impacts school-family relationships. Then we will introduce our study, which aims to explore the uses, potentials and limitations of an app intended to facilitate the relationship. Our study took place during September 2020-January 2021, when social restriction persisted. It took the form of a telematic ethnography in which we monitored the meetings of the Early Childhood Education teachers and their interaction with the families via an app-based communication tool. Results have allowed us to identify that most conversations are initiated by the school and their aim is to show families the classroom activities. We have also observed some advantages regarding the use of this app: communication can become more direct and immediate, and teachers have developed strategies to foster proximity in this relationship, as well as to respond inclusively to diversity. Regarding the challenges, we identified the lack of involvement of some families, the need to transform the roles played by families and children, and the difficulty to maintain personalized relationships.
ABSTRACT
Analizamos las transformaciones en los valores y prácticas educativas, y algunas condiciones que median, en un grupo de 15 familias latinoamericanas residentes en Barcelona (España). Realizamos entrevistas en profundidad con las figuras parentales, generalmente las madres, y entrevistas semiestructuradas con algunos de sus hijos e hijas. Los hallazgos destacan tanto la persistencia de las familias en socializar a sus hijos e hijas de acuerdo con valores de las tradiciones culturales de sus países de origen, como la necesidad de negociar nuevos significados y comportamientos e incorporar nuevas estrategias y prácticas. La composición familiar, la escolarización de los padres y madres, las redes con que cuentan, la inserción laboral, median en la adaptación de las familias a los cambios contextuales y culturales que afectan la socialización de sus hijos e hijas.
This study analyses changes in values and educational practices as well as some conditions that mediate these practices among a group of 15 Latin American families residing in Barcelona (Spain). In-depth interviews were conducted with parental figures, mostly mothers, and semi-structured interviews with some of their children. The findings highlight both the persistence of families in instilling values from the cultural traditions of their countries of origin and the need to negotiate new meanings and behaviors and incorporate new strategies and practices. Family composition, parents education, available networks and job inclusion all play a role in the adaptation of families to the contextual and cultural changes that affect the socialization of their children.
A pesquisa analisa as transformações nos valores e nas práticas educativas e as condições que permeiam um grupo de 15 famílias latino-americanas residentes em Barcelona (Espanha). Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com os pais, geralmente com as mães, e entrevistas semiestruturadas com alguns de seus filhos e filhas. Os resultados encontrados destacam tanto a persistência das famílias em socializar os seus filhos e filhas de acordo com os valores associados às tradições culturais de seus países de origem, como a necessidade de negociar novos significados e comportamentos e de incorporar novas estratégias e ações. A composição familiar, o nível de escolarização dos pais e das mães, as redes com as quais a família pode contar, a inserção no mercado de trabalho, influenciam na adaptação das famílias às mudanças contextuais e culturais que afetam a socialização de seus filhos e filhas.
