specific needs of children and elderly left behind as a ... - IOM Moldova

The integrity of migrant families
the number of individuals that children can address; the consequences of
which are seen in the training and health processes, etc.
There are cases when migrating parents have the opportunity to show they
care, primarily, through communicating by various means (phone, email,
Skype) with their children. Although most interviewed children noted that
they communicate frequently with their parents, they usually do not discuss
their psycho-emotional status or any sensitive moments.
As the children say, it can be concluded that they would prefer to feel the
care of their parents even if it was manifested through various prohibitions
or financial lacks: “Still, it is easier for a child to ask their parent’s
permission if they can go somewhere” (III_C_21); “I think that money has no
value. No matter how much they would work, there will always be the need
to have them. Children need to be happy close to their parents. Children need
their parents and parents need their children!” (FG_C_3_rural).
Despite the difficulties they encounter, some children strive to meet the expectations
of parents. They do their best to be responsible, have good academic
results, and to succeed in performing their daily activities, trying to
enunciate only their positive moments: “We tell our mother only about positive
things, we don’t want to frustrate her...” (III_C_13). Through such actions
children express their reciprocal care for their parents abroad.
The study unveiled the following correlation: the more frequent the parentchild
communication, the more obvious the reciprocal care children have for
their parents: “We send our mom parcels with apples, letters...” (III_C_26). A participant
of the focus group discussion even mentioned that he is worried about
his parents’ health who take a considerable toll for his well-being. The collected
data indicates a reversal of roles between parents and children. Thus, in their
perception, the children have become “parents” for their parents who left.
Even the most complicated tasks can become normal ones for children, if
they perform them frequently. In this context, it should be mentioned that
the risk of child labour exploitation appears, especially towards the child
who manifests tolerance and compliance. Another risk that persists due to
parental migration is the risk of a new generation growing up with health
problems when the children are being involved in difficult activities from
early childhood. For instance, the tasks that seemed impossible at the beginning
and inadequate for a child’s life, have begun to be perceived as habitual
during a certain period of time. An interviewed child told us that since he
was 7-8 years old he had been involved in production of prunes, a process
which requires time and effort, being a difficult task. The child concluded:
“Now I cannot imagine living without drying prunes” (III_C_9).
The interviewed experts state that the effects of the lack of the parental care
will be felt after a certain period of time. Today they are not that obvious
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