II.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Foreign Concept

The education of the children is the most essential thing that the parents

should provide and support in all term at any means. As Mahatma Gandhi stated, “education

is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. It only means that

education in children are vital because in them relies the future of a certain country.

According to the study of Antobam S.K., he cited that “Thus more mothers are

leaving behind their children in the rural areas in search for job in the urban centers so as to

be able to cater for their children”.

According to Grolier Academic Encyclopedia (Vol.15) “the status of

parenthood results in certain results in rights and duties existing between parents and minor

children. Modern statutes in the United States provide both the father and the mother, are

natural guardians of offspring. If it becomes necessary for the law to appoint alternative

guardians, these people are known as guardians by law. Parents are responsible for the

health, financial support, and education of their children”. It only means that whatever kind

of parents you are, biologically or appointed by law, you are oblige to give the basic needs of

your children, mostly education. Overseas migration of parents from the Philippines has

resulted in increasing numbers of long-term separations of parents from each other and from

their children. Western-based analyses might predict negative education outcomes for

children as a result of parental absence. We find that separations caused by overseas

migration often are either neutral or can have positive effects on schooling outcomes, at least

among older children. Girls fare better in terms of educational attainment than do boys
 overall. Boys are often more affected by background variables, including parents’

international migration.”

Foreign Literature
Local Concept

Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs are Filipinos who are employed in

foreign countries. They travel abroad to seek better opportunities in order to provide for

the needs of their families in the Philippines. They are also known as “Overseas Contract

Workers” (OCWs).

According to Edilion (2011) found that school-age children from Filipino

OFW families have greater capacity to attend school and are more achievers than

children of non-OFW parents. Non-OFW children, however, tend to be happier and more

active in socio-economic organizations than OFW children.

However, children of overseas migrant workers are quite vulnerable to

significant psychological, educational, and social challenges. They also experience

feelings of loneliness and isolation, and even depression. (Capelloni, 2012)

 In addition, It was also stated by Aries Rufo (2012) that the child tends to be

more angry, confused, pathetic and more afraid than other children when it is the mother

who has to work abroad in order to provide for the family and said that “ the absence of

the mother could be the most disruptive in the life of the children”.

This findings were also supported by 2012 Children and Families study when

it revealed that the parental absence creates displacement, disruptions and changes in

caregiving arrangements and that the departure of one or both parents leave an emotional

mark on the children left behind – the children long for the presence of the migrant

parent/s especially when the mothers are away.

However, they also stated that children of migrants are markedly better off

compared to the children of non – migrants and those OFW children are more likely to

participate in extracurricular activities. Earlier studies revealed that OFW children fared

less in academic performance that to those who are non – OFW children but this study

just proved the opposite and that OFW children tend to excel far more when it comes to

academics. (Cruz, 2012)