title: Experiences of South Asian brides entering Canada after recent changes to family sponsorship policies.
abstract: South Asians in Canada often apply the traditional custom of arranged marriage across international borders, leading to male sponsorship of family-chosen brides from their home countries. This qualitative study examined understandings of sponsorship and marital/resettlement experiences among English-proficient and non-English-proficient South Asian brides who entered Canada after recent immigration policy changes to reduce sponsored women's vulnerability to maltreatment. English-proficient women were aware of their rights and permanent resident status, and reported significant integration support. In contrast, non-English-proficient women misunderstood sponsorship and faced multiple barriers to participation in Canadian life, along with severe abuse and neglect.
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Noorfarah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Merali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D018585:Battered Women / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003144:Communication Barriers; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014933:Women's Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data