Philippine E-Journals

Coping with Distance: Children of Filipino Overseas Workers

Maria Cecilia T. Medina

 

Abstract:

Te children of millions of Filipino overseas workers have to bear the social costs of being separated from their father, mother or both parents in the most important years of their lives- prior to and during their adolescent years. In a case study of 41 children of migrant workers studying in a private school in Quezon City the children’s socio emotional well being was explored as well as ways of coping with the absence of their parents. Trough a survey and conduct of focused group discussions, the study concluded that children take advantage and make use of modern technology to communicate with their parents as a way of coping with the distance. Regardless of whether it was the father, mother or both parents abroad, for most children their remaining parent or other relatives served as caregivers to make up for parental absence. Fathers and mothers abroad were able to continue parenting role through the use of modern communication facilities and assistance of caregivers.