Effects of International Migration of Parents on Left- Behind Children: A Case Study of Basic Schools in Ablekuma South Districts, Greater Accra
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Date
2019-12
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Migration has a profound impact on the developmental process of both developed and developing countries. However, knowledge and analysis of everyday experiences of children and their coping strategies with parental migration as left-behind children have received less attention in Ghana. In the context of migration, the negative impact of the family separation observed in broader family literature has resulted in a decrease in parental help and monitoring that is necessary for the development of children. The migration of parents has resulted in a decrease in parental monitoring of the necessary development of the children in addition to family separation especially in developing countries like Ghana. The general objective of the study was to assess the effect of parental migration on the well-being of left-behind children in the Ablekuma South District of the Greater Accra Metropolis. The research design that was adopted for the study was the mixed method. The sample size was made up of 52 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Instruments used were structured questionnaires and in-depth interview guides. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. The results show that more than three-fifth (69.2%) of the children left-behind were affected negatively due to associated risks and the cost of migration incurred by their parents. The findings further revealed that a large proportion (90.4%) of remittances sent by parents were received by caregivers than any other group of people. It is concluded that migrants consider the importance of caregivers either of their relations or otherwise as the substitute to care for their left-behind children. Despite the numerous benefits migrations has on their households, it is recommended that with regards to left-behind children, the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection should include in their activities to offer education for caregivers and if possible streamline their work to make it formal to monitor their progress and performance.
Description
MA. Migration Studies
Keywords
International Migration, Ablekuma South Districts, Greater Accra, Migration