what does it mean to grow up egyptian canadian today?

This project dives into how young Egyptian Canadians are navigating the path to adulthood in a time of soaring rents, shaky job prospects, and rising xenophobia. It also looks at how their parents—who raised children between two worlds—understand and support these journeys.

We know that in the Middle East and North Africa, many young people are putting off major life milestones like leaving home or starting a family. But what happens when they migrate? How do these timelines shift—or stay the same—in a new country? And how do parents make sense of their children’s changing paths?

Our research sheds light on the real-world barriers and unexpected supports shaping these transitions in Canada. By listening closely to the voices of 1.5-generation Egyptian Canadians and their parents, we aim to spark better policies and programs that help immigrant families thrive and support young people finding their footing in an increasingly uncertain world.

This study is affiliated with the University of Toronto and is funded by Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.  

Our research team is conducting interviews with Egyptian Canadians who came to Canada as children (1.5th generation) and with their parents (1st generation). We’re focusing on the Greater Toronto Area, where many of these challenges are especially pronounced.

​Egyptian Canadians are the focus because much of the research on “waithood,” or delayed adulthood, comes from Egypt and the surrounding region. This project brings that conversation into the Canadian context.

How will we study this topic?