The phenomenon of “satellite babies” — children separated from parents and in care of relatives abroad — is more common across immigrant communities than once thought, says a Toronto study. The custom of temporarily boarding young children with overseas relatives — a strategy that helps newcomers cope with the stress of migration — is not limited to the Chinese, but is also common among South Asian, African and Caribbean immigrants. […] In collaboration with community leaders, service agencies and local health centres, researchers interviewed six mental health service providers and 34 parents from these communities in Greater Toronto, all of whom had suffered separation from their children for at least a year.
Vernon
