Foreign employment of mother and its impact on child, health and development

Abstract

This study attempts to find out the effects of maternal migration on some selected aspects of the existing family structure, employment status and personal habits of the father and health and psycho social development of the left behind children. Majority of the women who migrate to middle east as house maids are from low socio economic groups. A good proportion of them are mothers with growing up children. In 1992 it was estimated that 65 per cent of the migrant females were married. The government tend to see labour migration as some thing beneficial to the country and to the people, contrary to the migration of professionals which is considered as the "brain drain”. The government viewed the flow of foreign exchange earnings with favor. But it is sad to note that the possible psycho social ill effects on left behind children and husbands were totally neglected. When mother of growing up children go to middle east for employment, the problems of care and protection to the children arise. These children are thought to be in a disadvantageous position due to the total absence of their mothers from homes. The general health status of these children is thought to be lower than that of the children whose mothers live with them locally. A higher incidence of illnesses and home accidents were reported among the children of the migrant mothers. The worst affected health wise and emotionally is thought to be the under five group. The educational activities of the school going aged children are also known to get affected with a higher incidence of neglect and poor performance in class, keeping away from school and dropping out of school early among these children compared to the children whose mother live locally. Even the psycho social implications on the left behind husbands are also known