Although the way a child is brought up is the same in many respects, regardless of where the child lives, its upbringing is also dependent on social circumstances and cultural or religious values. Children of immigrants have to find their way in two environments at the same time – in their parents’ world and in Switzerland. There are differences in the language, the values and the rules for coexistence that can lead to conflicts. Where do I truly feel at home? Children are pulled this way and that, but they have to learn to find their way in both worlds. This is a big challenge.

Parents and schools, for example, can help with this. They should help children to find a balance between values in Switzerland and the family’s values. For the parents this means that they accept the Swiss idiosyncrasies. It also means that the school, for example, learns to accept the way the immigrant parents live.