Response and Coping Mechanisms of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Children to Parents' Separation
Resilience and Familism: The Dynamic Nature of Families in the Philippines
ISBN: 978-1-80455-415-9, eISBN: 978-1-80455-414-2
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Abstract
Labor migration poses a risk to the family as a social institution. Dissolution of marriages among couples caused by infidelity and labor migration is considered to be one of the social costs of migration, where children of migrants are greatly affected. This study examines the response of children when they found out about their parent’s infidelity and the ways of coping employed in dealing with the changed family situation. Nine participants aged 16–25 who are children of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to draw out recurring themes to answer the research questions. The results showed that there are negative feelings felt upon knowing the infidelity of their parent, either by their parent-left or the parent abroad. The relationship between the child and the parent who committed infidelity has been significantly interrupted. Additionally, friends were considered to be an essential source of support. The study contributed to the understanding that labor migration is one of the factors that contributed to strained relationships between husband and wife, and the children were the most affected.
Keywords
Citation
Alcantara, S.T.S. (2023), "Response and Coping Mechanisms of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Children to Parents' Separation", Gregorio, V.L., Batan, C.M. and Blair, S.L. (Ed.) Resilience and Familism: The Dynamic Nature of Families in the Philippines (Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research, Vol. 23), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 185-203. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1530-353520230000023011
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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