Asian Indian mothers’ experiences raising bicultural children: a phenomenological study

ABSTRACT Within the research addressing the realities and needs of bicultural families, there has been little inclusion of families where one parent is of Asian Indian heritage. The purpose of this research is to study the experiences of Asian Indian mothers raising children with a non-Asian Indian spouse. This phenomenological study includes interviews with eight Asian Indian mothers in the Northeastern United States. Two primary themes emerged: their shared experience of living with internal pressures related to cultural aspects of religion, education, and the role of family, and external pressures in raising their bicultural children, primarily coming from family and society.