Impact of International Migration on Children Left Behind: A Case Study of Children from Migrant and Non-Migrant Families In Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Most studies on migration hardly focus on the impact of international migration on children left behind in Sub Saharan Africa. This study tried to find out if the international migration has an effect on children left behind when they are left behind by their parent(s). The main aims were; first to find out if there is a relationship between the migration status of children’s families and the academic performance of children.Secondly, this study aimed at finding out if there is a relationship between the migration status of children’s families and their psychological/emotional and behavioural outcomes. This study was conducted from February to April, 2009 in Kumasi Ghana. It utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in which 162 children in a survey were made to answer questionnaire(s) on their academic performance, psychological/emotional and behavioural outcomes. This was to help determine whether differences in the migration status of student’s families are related to differences in the educational, psychological/emotional and behavioural outcomes of children. Interviews were also conducted with 50 students from migrant families.The findings obtained points out that in terms of educational outcomes, the migration status of children’s families is significantly related to the number of times children absent themselves from school and also their rank in class positions but not related to the marks they obtain in class. In terms of psychological/emotional outcomes it was found that the migration status of children’s families is only significantly related to how children have difficulty making decisions, but not related to how they become depressed and have problems with their cognitive functioning such as concentration and remembering things.This study concludes that the effects that children may experience when they are left behind by their parent(s) are contextual and care must therefore be taken in generalising or exaggerating the effects of parental migration on children. This is because in this study it was found that children who are left behind most of the time live with their mothers and that the extended family also plays an important role in the care taking of children of relatives who have migrated and this helps to reduce the effects children may experience.