Abstract:
A cross sectional study compared randomly selected 850 children (index group) between the
ages of 13-15 years whose mothers were employed abroad with similar group of children
who were living with their mothers. The data were analyzed using the chi square and other
non parametric tests. In the index group the grandmother is now the primary caregiver. As
reported by the children Jin the index group the care provided by the main caregiver was
inferior to the quality of care given by the mother. The prevalence of severity of the
outcome following physical abuse was higher among children in the index group. But
mild forms physical abuse like smacking (hitting by hand) are higher among children in the
comparison group . All the children who dropped out from the school (n =25) were from the
index group . The types and frequency of physical abuse ( corporal punishment) in the
schools were higher among the children from the index group . Poor school performances
and behavioral 1 problems in the schools were significantly higher in the index group. This
study shows the adverse consequences on the children’s behaviour as well as on school
performances. It is known that adults with history of abuse in childhood, may in turn abuse
children later . Therefore abuse and neglect of children of the next generation may happen
as proven in other studies. It appears that the negative impact outweigh the financial
benefits. Therefore cost effectiveness of maternal migration for employment needs to be
assessed in a future study.
