The Philippines has millions of Overseas Filipino Workers whose sacrifices abroad help sustain their families back home. While remittances provide financial stability, the absence of one or both parents brings unique challenges to the children left behind.
Below, we explore the most common disadvantages faced by Filipino children with OFW parents, supported by research and lived experiences, followed by a brief list of advantages.
Emotional and psychological challenges
1. Feelings of loneliness and abandonment
Children often struggle with the absence of a parent, leading to feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and even jealousy, especially when they see peers with both parents present.
2. Heightened risk of low self-esteem
The lack of daily parental guidance and affirmation can diminish a child’s sense of self-worth and confidence, making them more vulnerable to negative influences.
3. Emotional instability and anxiety
Separation from parents during formative years can cause emotional instability, anxiety, and difficulty managing stress, as children may feel unsupported during critical moments.
Academic and developmental disadvantages
4. Poor academic performance
Studies show that children of migrant workers are more likely to have low grades, frequent absences, and difficulty complying with school requirements, attributed to lack of parental supervision and guidance.
5. Increased risk of educational disabilities
The absence of a parent can lead to neglect of academic needs, resulting in educational disabilities or delays compared to peers with both parents present.
6. Disrupted routines and lack of motivation
Without a parent’s daily involvement, children may lack discipline, motivation, and structure, making it harder to establish healthy study habits and routines.
Family and social issues
7. Role reversal and parentification
Older children often take on adult responsibilities, acting as pseudo-parents to younger siblings. This role reversal can be stressful and may hinder their own emotional and social development.
Children who take on the role of absent parents often experience increased stress and anxiety, as they are forced to balance caregiving duties with their own academic and personal needs, which can hinder their emotional and social development.
8. Strained family relationships
Physical distance can weaken bonds between children and their OFW parent, and sometimes even with the parent remaining at home, leading to misunderstandings and emotional distance.
For instance, a teenager whose mother works overseas may feel uncomfortable sharing personal problems with her during brief phone calls, while also growing distant from her father at home, resulting in a sense of isolation from both parents.
9. Social isolation and stigma
Children may feel isolated from peers or experience stigma associated with being “left behind,” affecting their ability to form healthy friendships and social networks.
Health and well-being concerns
10. Neglect of health and nutritional needs
With one or both parents away, children may not receive proper attention to their health, nutrition, and overall well-being, especially if the remaining caregiver is overwhelmed or resources are stretched.
11. Unsafe quality of life
The absence of a parent can sometimes mean less supervision, increasing the risk of children engaging in risky behaviors or being exposed to unsafe environments.
For example, a study by Save the Children Philippines documented cases where children left behind by migrant parents became more vulnerable to drug use and sexual abuse due to lack of parental supervision.
One case involved a 15-year-old girl who was raped by a neighbor while her mother was working abroad, and another described a boy who began using illegal drugs after being left in the care of relatives who failed to monitor his activities.
Cultural and identity challenges
12. Struggle with identity and belonging
Children may grapple with questions about their family’s situation, their own identity, and their place in society, particularly when faced with societal expectations or comparisons to peers.
13. Pressure to succeed and debt of gratitude
There is often a heavy sense of obligation to succeed academically or professionally as a way of “repaying” the sacrifices of their OFW parent, which can add stress and pressure.
This sense of utang na loob—a deep-seated Filipino cultural value of debt of gratitude—further intensifies the pressure children feel to meet family expectations and honor their parents’ sacrifices.
Brief list of advantages
Despite these challenges, there are notable advantages for children with OFW parents:
- Improved financial stability: Remittances provide better access to education, healthcare, and material needs, improving the family’s standard of living.
- Opportunities for personal growth: Some children develop resilience, independence, and self-reliance as they adapt to their circumstances.
- Access to better quality education and extracurriculars: Increased resources may allow children to attend better schools and participate in enriching activities.
- Support from extended family: Filipino families often rely on extended relatives for caregiving, which helps maintain nurturing and socialization in the parent’s absence.
Conclusion
While the financial benefits of having an OFW parent are significant, the emotional, academic, and social costs to Filipino children are substantial and often overlooked. Addressing these disadvantages requires not only family resilience but also community and institutional support to ensure the well-being and holistic development of children left behind.