A Sociological Preview on the Effects of Migration on Families Left Behind in Homeland

Abstract

Migration is a multidimensional process involving interrelated aspects that affect those who move, those who are behind, and the host country. Kerala has contributed significantly to the outflow of workers to the Middle East. Often the positive impacts of migration are as highlighted as it makes an important contribution to the economy, to welfare and of course to cultural diversity of the state, but it affects the psycho- social and emotional well-being of the left behind family members. This paper addresses effects of migration on the families left behind in homeland; the objectives include: 1. to analyze the socio-economic background of emigrant worker’s family. 2. To identify the nature and the reasons of migration. 3. To find out the benefits received by family through the migration of a member. 4. To find out the effect of emigration on family relationships and psycho -social and emotional stresses experienced by the left behind family. The study is based on primary data of families of emigrant workers to the Middle East, mostly unskilled and semi-skilled workers who were not eligible for family visas. Mixed method was used in the study. Sample sizes consist of 150 families selected through snowball sampling method. The study revealed that migration improved their socioeconomic conditions, and they were started to acquire their aspiration and apart from benefits, the migration also added socio-psychological stresses to the family members