Impact of foreign maid on the development and growth of children in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Parental absence due to the employment of non-Arabic-speaking maids from countries like the Philippines and India raises concerns about children's emotional well-being. Despite emotional attachment, earlier research suggested limited influence on children's Arabic language acquisition. The study aims to address the understudied but significant global issue of maid impact on Saudi f amilies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using including both Saudi and non-Saudi participants aged 16 to 55 who willingly took part in the survey. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Results: Our study included 586 participants, with the majority of the female population (90.8%). The majority of parents perceived no significant impact of domestic helpers on their child's cognitive development (60.6%), emotional state (57.8%), personality traits, values, and attitudes (61.6%). Similarly, the majority see no negative effects on academic achievements (70.3%) and interpersonal relationships (64.8%). A large proportion expressed a neutral stance on their child forming a close relationship with domestic workers (30.2%). Nationality variations among domestic workers show no significant differences. Conclusion: A large proportion of parents perceive minimal negative impact across various dimensions, including cognitive development, emotional states, personality traits, and academic achievements. A substantial number of parents expressed openness to close relationships between their children and domestic workers.