Transgenerational Transmission of Forced Migration Experiences in Palestinian Families: A Biographical-Narrative Analysis Transmitting Memories of Displacement Across Generations

Abstract

This article examines how experiences of war and forced migration are transmitted across generations within Palestinian families in Germany. Based on eight biographical interviews with young adults, the analysis reconstructs how family histories are narrated and shape individual biographies. Notably, all second-generation participants began their stories with their families’ migration histories, although the study focused on educational trajectories. Two cases—Aliya and Bilal—illustrate distinct modes of transmission: restrictive parenting rooted in war experiences and persistent existential insecurity. The study advances understanding of transgenerational transmission and calls for further research on resilience and support for affected families.