CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

LOCAL LITERATURE

According to Edillion (2011) found that school-age children from Filipino OFW
families have greater capacity to attend school and are more achievers than children of non-OFW
parents. Non-OFW children, however, tend to be happier and more active in socio-economic
organizations than OFW children.

However, Children of overseas migrant workers are quite vulnerable to significant

psychological, educational, and social challenges. They also experience feelings of loneliness
and isolation, and even depression. (Capelloni,2012).

Edillon reported that OFW children want more attention. There is a greater need to
address the emotional needs of OFW children. The school is a place where values and skills
learned at home by OFW children should be strengthened or improved. With the absence of the
parents, guardians and caregivers can be the school’s ally in imparting values to the children.
(Edilion,2011)

In addition, It was also stated by Aries Rufo (2012) that the child tends to be more angry,
confused, pathetic and more afraid than other children when it is the mother who has to work
abroad in order to provide for the family and said that “the absence of the mother could be the
most disruptive in the life of the children.

This is especially felt by the eldest daughter of the family because she will now be the
one who will assume the mother’s role in the family as the father struggles to take the mother’s
role; because the immense responsibility affects their performance in school. (Rufo,2012)

This findings were also supported by the 2012 Children and Families study when it

revealed that the parental absence creates displacement, disruptions and changes in caregiving

arrangements and that the departure of one or both parents leave an emotional mark on the
children left behind – the children long for the presence of the migrant parent/s especially when

the mothers are away.

However, they also stated that children of migrants are markedly better off compared to

the children of non-migrants and that OFW children are more likely to participate in

extracurricular activities. Earlier studies revealed that OFW children fared less in academic

performance that to those who are non-OFW children but this study just proved the opposite and

that OFW children tend to excel far more when it comes to academics. (Cruz,2012)