Rural Families Speak Project
“Trabajando Duro Todos
Los Dias”
Background
• This study analyzes data from the Rural
Families Speak multi-state research study.
(Working Hard Every Day)
Expanding Research Agendas by Learning
from the Life Experiences of Migrant Families
• We focus specifically on the Michigan sample
of Latina women from migrant farmworking
families.
Laurie A. Bulock
J. Ruben Parra Cardona
David R. Imig
Francisco A. Villarruel
• We were deeply moved by the resilience of
these families despite facing financial hardship
and cultural barriers.
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Literature Review
Purpose of the Study
• Family Resilience
– Resilience is defined as a dynamic process reflecting
positive adaptation despite adversity (Luthar, Cicchetti &
Becker, 2000).
To conduct a strength-base and culturally
competent analysis of the experiences
described by participants.
– Shared meanings and perceptions of life demands and
family capabilities are key to positive family adaptation
in the face of adversity (Patterson, 2002).
Cultural Competence
- Profound understanding and respect for the strengths
and values of ethnic minorities, as well as a thorough
understanding of their socio-cultural contexts and
unique challenges that they experience in their lives
(Vega & Lopez, 2001).
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Multi-State Study Design
Rural Families Speak
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• Longitudinal, multidisciplinary
• AES Regional Research Project
• Now known as NC1011, “Rural Families
Speak”
– Work & work history
– Health & well-being
– Parenting & social support
– Education
– Use of services
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http://www.ruralfamilies.umn.edu
Mixed qualitative and quantitative methods.
Semi-structured protocol
Three waves of interviews
Topics included:
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Rural Families Speak Project
Rural Families Speak Sample
Michigan Latina Sample
• Snowball approach.
• Rural families in 24 counties in 14 states.
• One child 12 years old or younger in the home.
• Interviews conducted in homes or community
building, such as churches.
• Eligible for, not necessarily receiving, Food
Stamps or WIC.
• Three waves of interviews.
• Many interviews conducted in Spanish.
• Poverty ratio less than 200% of poverty level.
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Data Analysis
Emerging Themes
Research Process
• Data collected, transcribed, and sent to Oregon State
University for developing initial coding scheme.
Emphasizing Cultural
Competence
• Grounded theory approach
• Data is being analyzed following the guidelines of
cultural description outlined by Spradley and
McCurdy (1988). This framework assists
investigators to conduct culturally competent research
by identifying cultural selectivity as well as
ethnocentric biases.
Multi-state Data Coding and Analysis
Multi-state Data Collection
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Emerging Themes
Emphasizing Cultural Competence
Research informed by cultural competence
should translate into a profound understanding
and respect for the strengths and values of
minority groups, as well as a thorough
understanding of their socio-cultural contexts
and unique challenges that they experience in
their lives (Vega & Lopez, 2001).
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• Discrimination
“My youngest son complains that teachers are
not treating him right. Once he came home
with bruises in his arm because his teacher
wanted him seated and pulled him really hard
from his arm. I went to talk to her and she told
me that it wasn’t true…lastly she told me she
did seat him, but that he would not do as
told…I told her I didn’t like for her to mistreat
him like that” (Marta).
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Rural Families Speak Project
Emerging Themes
Emerging Themes
• Being Left Out
“And when we come back here (Texas), we
don’t qualify for…food stamps or Medicaid or
anything…because we have two vehicles…and
migrants are allowed only one vehicle. If I do
not have that second vehicle, how does my
husband look for work and how do I go pick up
kids from school…there is no bus
transportation.” (Calandra)
• Not Giving Up
“He has worked years [in the same
company]…and they never gave him
insurance, the company never did…they never
wanted to give him anything. And there he
keeps working with his hernia and it hurts him
a lot” (Sofia).
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Emerging Themes
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Emerging Themes
• Hard working
• Not wanting to use the Government
“I get up at 4:30 in the morning, my husband
arrives at 5:30 because he works at night…At
six I get the children up and I leave them ready
and I go to my job” (Maria).
“I think that many people are a problem to the
government, but there are still many others
who like to work…we don’t want to harm the
government…we work hard everyday…
everyday” (Julia).
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Emerging Themes
Emerging Themes
• Familismo
• Being Satisfied
“We want the best for our children…that they
don’t lack anything…for them to be in
school…for them to go and play and have
what they need to develop…giving them an
education, and whatever they need to live like
food and clothes…It is everybody’s
responsibility” (Maria).
We have been fine. We do not complain about
anything. We have work. We are satisfied…
Now our mission is to provide for our children,
that they may not lack anything and that they
go to school….that is our goal” (Antonia).
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http://www.ruralfamilies.umn.edu
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Rural Families Speak Project
Emerging Themes
Emerging Themes
• Shared meanings about faith
“…In my bedroom… and in my kids’ room we
have glow in the dark stars that I put in the
ceiling. So at night … my small one says that
they are going to sleep with the angels and with
Jesus… And I tell them, that we have to say our
prayers and that because we see stars, Jesus
always listens to our prayers. So when he is over
there sleeping in the other bedroom he yells and
tells me, mom we cannot forget to say our
prayers… Because they turn off the lights and all
these stars glow in the dark.” (Calandra)
• Solidarity with others & sense of community
“But I just don’t like to take advantage of those
programs because I feel that there are people in need,
so um, if God let’s me wake up in the following
morning, … I can take care of everything. So,
actually I believe these program, I like for them to
exist, but I really don’t, don’t like to take advantage
of them unless I really need it.” (Calandra)
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Emerging Themes
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Emerging Themes
• Utilizing resources in unexpected places
• Meaning and pride in accomplishments
“Well it seems like this job helps me out a lot,
because I’m learning a lot. I’m learning how
to spell words I never did. I can write out a
sentence now.” (Mercedes)
“…I only had so very little schooling …it
seems like I’ve accomplished a lot by myself.
My kids helped me a lot when I had to put in
my two hundred hours. We put in the
cabinets, the doors, the trims…” (Mercedes)
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Implications for Researchers
Implications for Practice
• Research utilizing a strength-based approach
provides a foundation for cultural competence.
• Families from diverse cultures can be better
served when providers seek an understanding
and genuine respect and appreciation of their
needs and cultural values.
• Cultural competence should guide the design,
implementation, analysis, and dissemination of
studies with minority participants.
• A deep understanding of core values such as
familismo is a requirement to effectively
connect and support migrant families.
• A permanent process of cultural dialog should
be maintained permanently among researchers.
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Rural Families Speak Project
Policy Implications
• Policies are needed that support the values (e.g., strong
work ethic, sense of community) and informal
networks of migrant families.
• Policies are needed that support a smoother transition
of services between states for migrant families.
• Legislature should encourage the critical importance of
cultural competence in service delivery to migrant
families.
For Further Questions
• Laurie Bulock
bulockla@msu.edu
• J. Ruben Parra Cardona
parraca1@msu.edu
• Policy is required to ensure that migrant families have
access to benefits that will ensure their overall wellbeing.
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