The Impact of Parental External Labour Migration on the Social Sustainability of the Next Generation in Developing Countries

Iasmina Iosim, Patricia Runcan, Remus Runcan, Cristina Jomiru and Mihaela Gavrila-Ardelean
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Iasmina Iosim: Faculty of Management and Rural Tourism, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania” from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Patricia Runcan: Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, West University of Timișoara, 300223 Timișoara, Romania
Remus Runcan: Faculty of Educational Sciences, Psychology and Social Work, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, 310130 Arad, Romania
Cristina Jomiru: Faculty of Social Work, Divitia Gratiae University from Chișinău, D-2001 Chișinău, Moldova
Mihaela Gavrila-Ardelean: Faculty of Educational Sciences, Psychology and Social Work, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, 310130 Arad, Romania

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: Migration is a frequent phenomenon in the current European context. It is culturally differentiated according to every country, and it has a major role in the social sustainability of families and the next generation. This paper aimed to determine the impact of parents leaving to work abroad on the lives of their left-at-home children. This gives rise to a new phenomenon of “social orphans”. This research was carried out with the participation of eight adults who, during their childhood, had a parent who went to work abroad for a period of more than one month. The research tool used was the semi-structured interview guide. The research found that the main reason for parents leaving was the precarious financial situation of their families and their need to support their children (materially, educationally, and financially). The research results showed that the resulting greater financial stability did not guarantee that family ties would develop in a positive direction. More than half of the respondents reported a worsening of relationships with family members and experienced major psycho-emotional deprivation. The family has been negatively impacted in the social sustainability of the next generation.

Keywords: external migration; parents; social orphans; impact; social sustainability of families in developing countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4616-:d:792343

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