[Out of wedlock pregnancies in Haitian families].

Abstract

Early pregnancies in Haitian teenagers entails crisis situations within many families in addition to questioning and involving many professionals of various fields. This subject is addressed in a transcultural context with reference to Haitian biculturalism both in Haiti and abroad. In this article, the author examines more specifically the situation of Haitians within Quebec society. Analysis of the parents' attitude of both cultural group, the western as well as creole, constitutes a light of mediation regarding help and support or psychotherapeutic intervention. In the Haitian community, problems of cultural identity on one side, and lack of affiliation to family on the other, are at the basis of conflicts between parents and children. The author concludes with proposals aiming at improving interventions with these families in their process of migratory adaptation.