What is it about?
Ambiguous loss occurs when families are separated physically (geographically) but present psychologically in everyday life. Transnational families need to rethink how they behave as families, what and how roles need to shift, and how to share emotional and tangible resources at a distance.
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Why is it important?
Increased global migration is making this family form more common. Having a framework to name, normalize, and think about their transnational nature can help families problem-solve and thrive.
Perspectives
My own family has been transnational for 35 years. Enacting roles of son, daughter-in-law, uncle, aunt, and cousin have been challenging, especially in the early years. Technology has certainly made family interaction and communication more easy, but there are still challenges that geographically close families don't experience. I hope that the article contributes to a better understanding of these family types so that we can support them to adapt and thrive.
Catherine Solheim
University of Minnesota System
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Ambiguous Loss Due to Separation in Voluntary Transnational Families, Journal of Family Theory & Review, August 2016, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/jftr.12160.
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