CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The literature and studies cited in this chapter tackle the different concept,

understanding, idea, generalization or conclusions and different development

related to the study, which serve as the researchers guide in developing the

study. These that were also included in this chapter helps in familiarizing

information that are relevant to the present study.

Limited job opportunities and low wages in the Philippines prompt skilled

professionals like nurses, doctors, and engineers to seek employment abroad.

Then again, Filipinos working abroad play a pivotal role in bolstering the

Philippine economy. Through their remittances, they not only alleviate poverty

but also enhance the living standards of their families back home. (Philippines

News Agency, 2023). This influx of remittance income translates into increased

disposable income, which, in turn, fuels higher consumption levels among

Filipino households. As families have more resources at their disposal, they can

afford better education, healthcare, and other necessities, thereby contributing to

overall economic growth and development in the country.

Filipinos working abroad known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

have an impact, on the economy and social fabric of the Philippines. These

individuals, who are citizens of the Philippines take up employment overseas in

sectors like healthcare, hospitality, construction and household services. The

trend of labor migration has long been an aspect of the Filipino workforce due to

reasons such, as gaps, limited local job prospects and the aspiration to enhance
their family’s quality of life. The numbers of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

that we have at present is estimated to be about 1.96 million people (Philippine

Statistics Authority, 2023).

According to Department of Foreign Affairs (2014), the data illustrates the

global dispersion of overseas Filipinos, with significant populations residing in

countries across North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The United

States tops the list with over 3.3 million Filipino expatriates, followed by Saudi

Arabia, Canada, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates.

According to a study by Bautista & Tamayo (2020), Overseas Filipino

Workers (OFWs) choose to work abroad primarily for the promise of higher

salaries, but their motivations go beyond financial gain. They strive to provide

their children with quality education, to build modest properties or investments,

and to seek opportunities in what they perceive as greener pastures. Beyond

mere economic reasons, their aspirations are deeply rooted in the desire to

secure a better future for their families, to create stability, and to explore avenues

for personal growth. This journey reflects the sacrifices they make and the

dreams they pursue, embodying the resilience and determination inherent in the

Filipino spirit.

But being an OFW isn’t always easy, leaving the country means leaving

your family. One of the struggles as an OFW is that they’re longing for the

presence of their family. They long for the comfort, hugs, and love by their family.

Additionally, they are dealing with the difficulties of different culture and having
the hard time to communicate with other nationalities in a foreign land (Magpili,

2014).

Being a child of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) entails being forced

to endure the absence of their parents, grappling with feelings of loneliness,

longing, and uncertainty as they navigate pivotal moments in their lives without

the physical presence and guidance of their loved ones. These children often find

themselves shouldering responsibilities beyond their years, adapting to the void

left by their parents' absence while striving to uphold familial bonds and

aspirations from a distance. The impact of having parents who are OFWs on their

children cannot be neatly categorized as solely positive or negative. Instead, it is

a complex interplay of various factors that can manifest differently depending on

individual circumstances and coping mechanisms.

2.1 DISADVANTAGES OF HAVING OFW PARENTS

Children whose parents work abroad often find themselves in the care of

trusted family members, typically grandparents, older siblings, uncles, and aunts,

as they navigate life back home. Recent studies indicate that children left behind

by migrating parents are at an increased risk of encountering depression,

anxiety, and various emotional and psychological challenges. Particularly, the

absence of mothers tends to have a pronounced impact on these children's well-

being. Despite establishing strong bonds with their children, many Overseas

Filipino Workers (OFWs) unfortunately find that the time spent working abroad

takes a toll on their relationship with their children (The Filipino Times, 2018).
 According to a study conducted by Anit & Joya (2014), there were a lot of

negative impacts on children. For instances, they became attention-seeking,

emotional, built a huge gap between their parents, and developing risk-taking

behaviour.

According to a study conducted by Hoang, et. al., (2014), one of the most

significant problems faced by OFW parents is the lack of physical presence and

emotional support for their children. Moreover, OFW parents often miss

significant

events in their children's lives, such as birthdays, graduations, and holidays,

which

can cause further strain in the parent-child relationship.

2.2 ADVANTAGES OF HAVING OFW PARENTS

According to a study conducted by Burgos et al., (2020), migrant parents

are able to provide for financial support to their loved ones which enable them to

access better education, acquire properties, buy nutritious food and get better

health care.