Even though the majority of OFWs decide to work away from home for monetary benefits, several consequences can arise, which may wreck the family. Think thoroughly before you choose to marry an Overseas Filipino Worker and compare the pros and cons accordingly.
Risk of infidelity
Many couples find it very difficult to stay apart from each other for a long time. A lot of lonely spouses could end up cheating on each other due to physical absence. As a consequence, marriages get destroyed, honeymoon dreams fail to materialize.
Mismanagement of the home
Lacking your significant other to brainstorm and adequately manage the home can lead to wrong results. Some families end up getting deep into debt because of financial mismanagement. The OFW could continue sending money home without knowing how it is spent. That is why we also advise when NOT to remit payment to the Philippines.
Problems in raising children
Some spouses who have different personalities quarrel about how the children are grown. OFWs usually complain that their children back home barely recognize them or are only inclined to receive material gifts and fail to learn how to prepare for their future. The long term absence can lead to strained relationships between parents and children.
Struggles to overcome loneliness
Many couples still fail to get in touch with each other despite the available technologies due to a variety of factors like the absence of reliable network signals, vast timezone difference, long working hours for the OFW, or working spouse back home and having irregular schedules. Some OFWs work on remote places like in the middle of the desert or offshore oil rigs, where communication with the family is a challenge. The lack of communication can also lead to arguments and cheating.
No financial guarantee
Not all OFWs make a lot of money. You’ll find a lot of OFWs complain at Pinoy OFW Facebook page with a litany of problems. It would be a bad idea to marry one by merely thinking that your financial status will improve. There is the possibility of a layoff or termination at any time.
Risk of being widowed
Some OFWs can be assigned to foreign places that tend to have political strife, internal wars, and other types of dangers. But even in places that are devoid of civil unrest, accidents happen, and Filipino workers die (in Canada, in Saudi Arabia, in Qatar). Â Many Filipino spouses have been widowed or left on their own after their husbands or wife were found guilty of criminal charges abroad, involved in political scandals, or maltreated by employers and foreigners.
Fewer social engagements
Some Overseas Filipino Workers are very jealous of their spouses back home and set stringent rules. You might be forced to stay at home all the time to take care of the house and children only. Many wives are prohibited by their husbands overseas from leaving the house except for errands. You might be continuously monitored via the internet or disallowed to meet other family members and friends.
It is best to set your expectations early to determine whether or not you should wed an OFW.