FILIPINO DIASPORA: A Phenomenology of adolescents with economic migrant parents

Abstract

The study explored the life experience of adolescents who have parent/parents working abroad and the family dynamics after the parent/s left the country. It also tackled the coping mechanisms employed by the adolescent and the parent abroad. The research used phenomenology as the theoretical and methodological framework. This is a theory and method that focuses on the interpretation of the individual of his or her experiences. The research avoided biases and pre-judgement and instead tried to understand the adolescent based on the experiences of the participant. Five (5) families with an adolescent child having parent/parents abroad was included in the study through purposive and snow ball sampling. Parents were also interviewed as means of triangulation. Recurrent themes or common experiences, key points or word and phrases were clustered together to come up with an umbrella theme. The researcher also used textural and structural descriptions in data analysis. In general, the results of the study showed that familism as a Filipino value plays a role in coping with economic migration. The technology now contributes to bridging the distance between family members. In contrast with previous studies, the positive effects of economic migration to the children are not only limited to economic gains. It also includes, being motivated to be responsible and event tightens the bond between the family members. It is recommended that a higher number of participants be included, participants from different socioeconomic status, the correlation of gender of OFW parent and children and also to provide more opportunities for Filipino workers in the Philippines.