ICT AND SOCIETY: EXAMINING THE IMPACT
OF TECHNOLOGY AMONG FILIPINO
FAMILIES IN DIASPORA
CRISTINA M. SIGNO
Cavite State University-Trece Martires City Campus
Trece Martires City, Cavite
Philippines
cristina_signo@yahoo.com
Abstract—The role of information and communication
technologies has reached all sectors of society. No doubt that the
smallest unit of society, the family, has been tremendously
affected by these changes. The impact of technology has been
directed to the family as they consume the innovation every
minute of their lives. As such, it is important to examine how
communication technology has affected the quality of
communications and lives of people.
The study explores how communication technologies modify,
alter and transform the lives of Filipino families in the context of
diaspora. It aims to determine 1. information and communication
and technologies commonly accessed by respondents; 2.
variations in family characteristics, accessibility to new
communication technologies ,and frequency of use; 3. problems
encountered in the use of the new technology; 4.impact of
communication technology to the transformation of Filipino
families in diaspora; and 5. impact of message exchanges among
family members evident in their actual living condition.
The Filipino family, known for its close ties, attempts to
maintain relationships by utilizing gadgets available for them.
The ubiquity of new technologies has facilitated communication
among family members who regard these gadgets integral to
their daily lives
The researcher selected families from the categories
common to both Philippine Overseas Employment Agency
(POEA) and National Statistics Office websites through
purposive sampling. These are: 1. seafarers; 2.domestic helpers ;
3. professionals such as nurses, doctors and others; 4. laborers
and helpers; 5. production/operators and other related works; 6.
caregivers and caretakers; and 7. technicians to include wiremen,
electrician, etc. Respondents were from the Southern Tagalog
Region where Cavite, one of its provinces, has the highest
number of sea-based and land-based deployment, as well as, the
highest in overseas remittances.
The study undertakes a quantitative-qualitative approach to
research. In order to have a clearer picture of these families, a
multi- method approach was employed including survey, key-
informant, in-depth and on-line interviews.
Results show that family communication is vital in the
realization of aspirations within the family. Most families use
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mobile phones and internet to communicate with their family
members anytime and anywhere. Common problems
encountered relates to signal of equipment used, cost of
communication thru ICT and quality of messages conveyed.
Aspirations such as familial dreams, plans and goals are
communicated through the use of technology despite distance. In
general, results reveal that diaspora and the use of ICT
facilitated the realization of aspirations of Filipino families. Both
have been a persistent culture among Filipinos.
Keywords- technology; family; citizen; connectivity; access
Introduction
Filipino diaspora has been considered as one the new
engines for poverty alleviation in the country today. There are
almost two million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
labeled as the Philippines’ “Bagong Bayani ng Bayan”,
dispersed all over the world. The 2009 Survey on Overseas
Filipinos (SFO,2009) reveal that CALABARZON has the
largest deployment at 16.4% of total overseas contract worker,
followed by NCR at 14.7% and Central Luzon at 13.9%. The
flow of overseas workers, from a few thousands in 1970s grew
to thousands reaching up to almost 2 millions in 2009. The
same 2009 survey reveals that there were more male OFWs
than female belonging to ages 25-43 (www.nso.gov.ph).
Among the favorite destinations of Filipino migrant
workers, the SFO (2009) indicates that Saudi Arabia remains
on top, followed by Europe, United Arab Emirates, North and
South America and Asian countries including Hongkong,
Singapore, Japan and Taiwan. In the categories or occupation
groups, laborer and unskilled workers top major occupation
group. Also included in this category are domestic helpers,
cleaners and manufacturing laborers (SFO, 2009).
The increasing number of OFWs from the Philippines is
somewhat in relation to the ubiquity of information and
communication technology in the region. The phenomena of
Overseas Filipino Workers and the Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) in the Philippines have
forged a culture among members of Filipino families. It is a
culture replete with the dynamics of significations, production
and assignment of codes and symbols, sense- and meaning-
making in the vast expanse of familial relationships. It is a
culture that is evolving, shaping and defining each actor and
every element in the communication situation. It is a culture
that Robins and Webster refer to as cyberspace or virtual
culture (1999: 221-237) characterized as “an out-of-territory
and an out-of-time culture” where “everybody contributes to
the information exchange and participates in the global
conversation”.
The communication situation in Filipino families
continues to evolve with global developments. It is an
apparent adaptation to the trends and patterns characteristic of
the technologically wired and fast-paced world. The Filipino
family remains a force to reckon with. Its ability to cope with
recent trends and developments in the field of Information and
Communication Technology, given the phenomenon of
diaspora that dates back to the early seventies, transgresses
boundaries – geographical or otherwise.
There is a pressing need to overcome poverty in the
Philippines. Circumstances such as unemployment, low
income and high-priced commodities, have proved to be too
difficult – albeit onerous – for family members acting as the
breadwinner. The need, too, to address the basic human
necessities such as food, clothing and shelter, has prompted
breadwinner-members to brave a strange place away from
home. These breadwinners, usually the head of the family –
the father or the mother, brave the overseas as seamen,
construction workers, and factory workers or as domestic
helpers.
While their goals lie in buttressing family income and
making life good for their respective families, the
breadwinner-members-turned-OFWs indirectly sacrifice
family closeness characterized more by physical presence and
bonding. Such may lead them to develop interests in putting
up with other countries in matters pertaining to human capital
generating the most advantage, and presenting themselves as
more than able to compete with the world’s best.
How are the Filipino families defined these days amidst
ICT and economic global trends? As electronic gadgets
proliferate in markets to facilitate interactive communication
between family members, the ultimate decision to make use of
them for familial bonding lies mainly on the members
themselves. The ubiquity of electronic gadgets may present
the finer realities that actually facilitate the strengthening of
the family as an institution in the Philippines.
The family members left behind also do the same thing.
Through cellular phones or via electronic mails, the members
get to update each other, barring distance and temporal
concerns. Such remains the ideal function of ICT as
commonly observed in Filipino communities where families
have their respective OFWs to think of and communicate with
as often as possible.
In a Filipino family where the husband turns into an OFW
and the wife and the children are left behind, it may be
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interesting to look at how cyberspace accounts for the
husband-wife or husband-children relationship. This paper
aims to determine if and how Information and Communication
Technology impact on Filipino families with members
working overseas. Likewise, it intends to explore information
and communication technologies commonly accessed by
respondents, variations in family characteristics, accessibility
to new communication technology and frequency of use,
problems encountered in the use of the technology; impact of
communication technology to the transformation of Filipino
families in diaspora and the impact of message exchanges
evident in their actual living condition.
The results of the present research will hopefully present
the Filipino as it copes with the reign of ICT and the
phenomenon of diaspora; thereby resulting in the appreciation
of a fast evolving e-culture in the Philippines.
To understand ICT and its usefulness among Filipino
families with immediate OFW-family members is to slowly
embrace the e-culture that ICT has unleashed. It is this e-
culture that casts a re-definitive label on today’s Filipino
family: while members are separated by physical distance and
geographical barriers, ICT continues to strengthen familial
bonds.
The study took both a quantitative and qualitative
approach to research. It aimed to interpret in order to discover
concepts and relationships on the phenomenon of ICT
(information communication technology) as a catalyst in the
emerging definition of ‘family’ among OFW left-behinds.
Survey questionnaires were distributed to 125 rural
families with an OFW member, mostly from upper Cavite area.
These rural families reside in the upland part of province,
basically an agricultural area. Of the total number of
questionnaires, only 97 were returned. The survey was
conducted to establish benchmark information as to Filipino
families’ familiarity to ICT, frequency of use and the situation
and messages they usually exchange with their OFW family
member.
In the same manner, in-depth interviews were conducted
to seven housewives to know their side of the story as left
behinds of their OFW husbands. Likewise, seven children were
requested to write a daily account of their lives with the hope
of seeing how these children regard each family member and
their relationships with each other. Housewives and children
came from the seven common categories from Philippine
Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) and National Statistics
Office (NSO) namely seafarers, domestic helper, professionals,
laborers, production/ operator and other related works,
caregiver/caretaker, and technicians. Respondents were from
Cavite, a province in CALABARZON with the highest
deployed sea-based and land-based OFWs.
In addressing the stories of OFW-father/breadwinner,
seven OFW-father/breadwinners working in South Korea were
interviewed.
 I. FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS TABLE II. OFWS LENGTH OF STAY ABROAD

A. Survey Results Length of Stay (Years) Distribution

Approximately 125 survey forms were distributed and 97 were 1-2 41
retrieved. From the total number of respondents, 74 were
3-4 52
females and 23 were males. This yielded predominantly female
respondents. 5-6 4
The table below shows that among OFW-Breadwinners of 7-8 0
families in upper Cavite, KSA is still the most popular. Most
Filipinos working in this country are engineers and 9-10 0
construction workers. Dubai follows next as the next More than 10 years 0
destination of OFW-Breadwinners. Most Filipinos working in
this country work as store attendant, factory workers and others
Homesickness and loneliness are common feelings
are into some office works. Domestic Workers are still in
among OFWs. They all miss their families back in the
Hongkong while Filipinos in South Korea are engaged in
Philippines. In view of this feeling, ICT has played a very
garment factories. In Singapore, house-help is still popular but
important role in bridging the family.
a few are into skilled profession. Popular among OFW left behinds are the use of mobile
phone and internet in their communication with their relatives
TABLE I. DISTRIBUTION OF OFW-BREADWINNER
abroad. Mostly housewives, they claim that texting and even
Worksite of OFW-breadwinner Distribution
calling their partner abroad is cheaper that any other
KSA 16 equipment. They also assert that the mobile phones provide
Dubai 15 them a readily access with their partner abroad, anytime,
anywhere. The unpopularity of the utilization of landline
Hongkong 14 phones is understandable because there are limited
South Korea 12 connections of landline phones in upper part of Cavite. The
use of e-mail and IM are popular well-liked among those
Singapore 11
working in offices. Table 3 shows gadgets/equipment utilized
Italy 10 by rural Filipino family members in their hope to
USA 8 communicate with each other.

Japan 6 TABLE III. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

Taiwan 4
Means of Communication Distribution
Iraq 1
Snail Mail 17
Total 97
Landline 2
These OFW-breadwinners have been separated from their Mobile phone (call/text) 97
families for quite sometime. Most OFW-Breadwinner have e-mail 43
three-year contract to fulfill. Usually, those in KSA, Taiwan,
Italy, and South Korea and even in Singapore and Hongkong IM 63
have longer contracts as compared to other OFWs. When left- Internet 72
behinds were asked, their OFW-partners intend to renew
Others 10
contracts due to economic instability of the family. They also
mentioned that because employment in the country is unsure,
the OFW member extends contract to be assured of a When asked on the frequency of communication with
continuous work and thus, compensation for them. OFW-family member, most of them agree that they hope to
Responsibilities such as education of their children, food, communicate often, however, due to financial constraints, they
other material needs and business for the family concern communicate on a scheduled basis. Table 4 shows the
OFW-breadwinner abroad. frequency of communication among family members.
Table no.2 shows the length of stay of OFW- The table shows that most families communicate thrice a
breadwinners in foreign land. week. Various reasons where cited as reasons for
communicating frequently. Schedules as to the day and time
were agreed upon so that most members of the family are
present once calls are made.

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TABLE IV. OFW FAMILIES FREQUENCY OF
COMMUNICATION
Frequency of Communication Distribution
Everyday 18
Twice a week 29
Thrice a week 31
Weekly (weekend) 19
B. In-depth interviews with Wives on Problems and Impact
of ICT use
Most respondents agree that maintaining a family without
their husbands beside them is difficult. According to them,
raising the children alone entails a lot of responsibilities.
However, due to financial problems, their partners opted to
work abroad. They hope to have better lives by sending their
children to school, having business of their own, providing
house and lot for the family and having a bank account for the
family’s future. These goals have strengthened their partners
will to work abroad.
The Case of Lorna Rotairo
She claims that calls from her husband has been very
regular, the minimum of which would be three times a week.
“Minsan tatawag lang yun para sabihing mahal niya ako. Pero
nung nadito siya, nag-aaway lang kami lagi,” disclosed by
Lorna. Lorna believes their separation has strengthened their
relationship. They are more often in terms of expressing their
feelings as compared before when he worked in the country.
She said that both of them mature due to their separation.
As to the economy of the family, Lorna believes that it
has improved since Rafael, her husband, had worked abroad.
Their children can now study in private schools and they can
provide the needs of the children. However, she did not dismiss
the fact that there are times she hoped that her husband is
home.
The Case of Dina Espiritu
Her health condition prompted her husband to leave the
country and work there for a better salary. Dina was diagnosed
to have heart ailment and should undergone a lot of procedures
and medication. Their salary in the country cannot answer the
need for her medication, not to mention that they have three
children depending on them. The separation has caused them
tremendous sadness, however, her husband’s intention to help
her toughen his decision to work in Bahrain.
Dina has assumed the father-mother role in the physical
absence of her husband. “Pag po s’ya tumatawag, lagi niyang
sinasabi na makinig ang mga bata sa akin at ‘wag pasasamain
ang loob ko.” She recalled that her husband always reminds
their children to behave and remain obedient to her.
The Case of Celia Perello
Just like other stories with an OFW husbands, Celia had
difficulty raising the children. Her husband, Arman, had to
apply for work abroad since both of them were retrenched from
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work and there is no other source to support family needs.
Celia claimed that their separation was a hard decision but best
for their families. “Mabuti na lang ngayon, kahit na
magkalayo kami, at least, may pang suporta kami sa aming
mga anak. Nagtatawagan kami basta pwede. Mahirap pero
wala kaming magagawa”
Major family decisions were handled by Celia. She
expressed that she had to bear all problems at home without
informing her husband about it because she feels that
additional burden to Arman would just complicate the
situation. ‘”Pag may problema sa bahay, ako na lang ang
gumagawa ng solusyon, ayaw ko na sabihin kay Arman, kasi
mamomroblema lang ‘yun, kawawa naman”.
The Case of Belen Salamatin
Belen is currently a pre-school teacher but her husband,
Tony, has to work abroad because they need to start all over
again. Few years back, their house was burnt and authorities
claimed that the fire was due to faulty electrical wirings. They
were no able to save anything but just clothes they were
wearing at that time. Both of them were at work while their
children were in school when the incident happened. They had
to borrow money from everybody just to continue life. Tony
had no other choice but to look for a better job to pay their
debts.
Belen narrated that Tony texts and calls them often.
Their bond became stronger because they feel that they should
support each other more. “Alam mo, every time na
natatawagan kami, kahit magdadalawang taon na sya dun,
napapaiyak pa din kami kasi mahirap talaga. Buti na nga lang,
madali ng magkausap ngayon. Minsan disoras ng gabi tatawag
yan, wala lang, mangumusta lang, okey na sa amin muna ang
ganito”.
The Case of Mina Silan
Mina is a full time housewife to her four children. Her
husband, Deo, worked as an engineer in KSA. Mina recalled
that better job opportunities were accorded to Deo abroad.
They now have a fully-furnished house and a car that serves as
school service for the children. Mina expressed that given a
choice, she wants her husband to work in the country.
However, Deo intends to work abroad for at least three more
years. Mina articulated her disappointment to her husband’s
decision but she said that she will just support him.
Deo calls his family often. They have internet
connections at home, so the whole family can communicate
with him. The web-cam facilitates a more personal
communication since they can see each other on screen.
“Mabuti na lang talaga, may ganyan na, kung wala parang
nakakalungkot masyado. Usually gabi siya naka-online para
nakakausap niya mga bata… wala naman… nangungumusta
lang… ang mga bata naman e, hingi ng hingi ng ganito
ganyan…dun na lang siya bumabawi’.
The Case Irma Doroteo
A working mother of her children, her husband has been
a seaman for 10 years already. Irma narrated that most of her
married life was spent caring for the children. A month after
her marriage with Ding, Ding decided to accept an offer and
from then on, left the country as seafarer. It was a hard decision
but she was able to cope.
The benefits received by the family are undeniable. They
live in a nice house and all the children are studying. They have
all the gadgets they need latest mobile phone units, ipod, ipad,
laptop computers, everything. According to Irma,
communication equipment allow their connection anytime. Her
husband can contact her and the children anywhere. For them,
despite the distance, they assure themselves of the love for each
other through phone calls and chat. She said, ..”hindi namin
nakakalimutan to say I love you after kumustahan…ganyan
lang lagi”.
The Case of MaFe Siapno
It was one of the most difficult decisions that MaFe and
Dony has made. MaFe has three children and a husband
working as porter in KSA. At first, according to them, the
separation was difficult. Dony has to leave the country because
of limited job opportunities for him in the country. He was a
carpenter when he was still working in the Philippines. MaFe,
on the other hand, has a small canteen for students.
The first purchase they made after the first remittance
sent by Dondon was a mobile phone. MaFe said that the move
may not be favorable to many but she guessed it was the best
decision to stay connected with Dony. She encountered no
problems except that rated going abroad is expensive so she
just waited for her husband to call them on a fixed time every
day. It becomes a daily routine for the family to wait for
Dony’s call.
C. In-depth interview with children of OFWs on ICT use
Studies claim that children suffer from the separation of
their parents. However, the emergence of ICTs has connected
children with their parents abroad. Their skills in computer
have encouraged them and explore the wonders of the gadget
to communicate with their parents, friends and relatives abroad.
The Case of Mico, 15
“Malimit tumawag ang Daddy ko pero si Mommy muna
ang kinakausap. Wala naman siya marami sinasabi,
pinapaalalahanan lang ako na mag-aral na mabuti at tumigil
lagi sa bahay”. Mico’s father works in Iraq as driver. He
knows the difficulty that his father faces in that country.
“Malungkot…lalo na pag nakikita ko na nagaalala si Mommy”.
The Case of Michelle, 15
“Lagi po tinatanong sa akin kung may-boyfriend na daw
po ako, sabi ko po , wala”. Michelle is a very young lady in
her teens. She said that they her father often calls them but
most of time with her mother. She missed her father but she
cannot do anything about it.
The Case of Cristina, 14
“Pag po pinapakausap sa kin ni Mama e, tinatanong
lang po kung tinutulungan ko daw po ba si Mama sa gawaing
bahay, at saka mag-aaral daw po mabuti”. Cristina is the
eldest of the six children of Romy and Carina. At an early age,
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she knew she must help her mother while their father works
abroad.
The Case of Aina, 13
“Mas malimit po text kaysa sa tawag… kay Mama po,
maalimit sya tumawag… kami po textmate lang…(laughs)”.
Aina fully understands why her father chose to work abroad.
He wants a better life for them. She expressed that whenever
she’s free, she writes poems for her father.
The Case of Benjo, 12
“Nasanay na rin po ako…nag cha-chat po sila ni
Mommy pag Friday night… nakikisali na din po kami ni
Ina…nagte-text din po siya lagi…itinatanong po kung may
problema daw po ba ako sa school..okay naman po…”.
According to Benjo, when he thinks of his father, he just
imagines that he works in Manila and cannot go home
everyday. He said that they have the means to communicate
everyday just in case there is really a need to reach each other.
The Case of Arriane, 16
Arianne understands fully why her father has to leave.
She is well informed on how it can help the family as well as
the risks involved in the set-up. It is for a reality having seen
how her parents suffer for their living. She narrated that
although she misses her father, she makes it a point to talk to
him each day.
She also shared that every day, despite the distance, the
family prays together.
The Case of Glyzie, 16
Glyzie separation with her father was difficult as she is
close to her him. Despite this, she has to be strong for her
mother and for her other siblings. She said that she just waits
for the usual call that her father does each night, “excited ako
kasi s’yempre, tatawag si Papa…iba pakiramdam
e…nakakatuwa”. One thing that she cannot forget is to charge
her mobile phone expecting that her father may call her.
D. Children’s Diary
Seven children of OFWs were requested to write a daily
account of their activities, thoughts and feelings for a week.
They were instructed that they should only include activities at
home and those that pertain to their family.
In a brief interview with them, they all said that they
understand their parent’s intention in working abroad. The
most popular reason told to them was to improve the economy
of the family. Surprisingly, five of the seven children never
mentioned a thing about their parents working abroad. Their
diary is concentrated on things they do at home such as
watching TV, playing with siblings, playing computer games,
doing assignments, helping in household chores and other
similar activities. What was significant was the adoration
accorded to mothers by their children.
Six of the seven respondents claimed that they idolize
their mother for being a good example to them. There was no
mention of a father in their stories. They were explicit in
expressing their love and concern for their mother and the
sacrifices that she has done for them. The diary method is an
important tool to know the feelings of these children that they
seldom express verbally.
E. In-depth Interview with OFW-Breadwinners
The interview was conducted in South Korea when the
researcher went there to attend an international conference. Her
last day of stay in South Korea where devoted to meeting these
Filipino’s overseas. All these workers are from Cavite and
most of them work in garment factories. It was a pity to know
that most of them have no legal papers to work in that country.
This difficulty had prompted the researcher to further the
question as to why they stay in that country despite the risk.
Kuya Reden, who has been in Korea with his son for almost
ten years said, “ Mas mabuti na dito, Tina, ano naman ang
gagawin ko sa atin… may edad na ako…at saka nagpagawa ng
bahay si misis e, naubos ang inipon naming”. Reden Jr., his
son, has been in Seoul for almost eight years, just like his
father, he works at night because he is afraid to be captured at
day time. When asked how they communicate with his wife,
Kuya Reden answered that…”malimit ako tumawag…may
cellphone naman ‘yun, dalawa pa nga e, kasi daw minsan e
mahina ang signal ng isa, e di pag natawag ako e sinusubukan
ko pareho…nasanay na ako na paganito”.
In another story, Sam, who has been in Korea for almost
six years expressed that he misses his family a lot. However, he
has to work there for the education of their children. He said
that when he was in the country, he is one of those “kanto
istambay”, he expressed that he does not want that life
anymore. Going abroad, he said, is a sacrifice but better than
having no single centavo in the pocket.”…wala tayong
magagawa e… mahirap ang buhay… mas mabuti na ito, kahit
papaano e nakakapagpadala ako ng pera para sa pamilya…
alam mo kung ano inuna kong pinabili… cell phone… sabi ko
bumili sila kaagad para malilit kami mag-usap, nanghihiram
lang kasi dati si Aileen sa kapatid niya…Ngayon, mabilis lang
at basta may extra akong pera…tumatawag ako agad, 1,000
won…ubos (laughs)”.
All of them have different stories to share but most of
them claimed working abroad is a big sacrifice but they have
no other choice but to work hard for their families. They all
asserted that the technology has made their lives easier abroad
because they can easily be connected with their love ones
anytime.
II. ANALYSIS
The emergence of new technologies has facilitated a more
dynamic communication among OFWs and their left behinds.
The temporary separation among family members has been
successfully bridged by their use of various gadgets and
equipment. The physical absence of either parents was filled-in
by the availability of cellular phones, internet among others.
However, the use of new technologies has caused some
problems including access, signal and message interpretation.
As respondents came from the upland areas, signals and access
are common problems as telecommunication companies have
not fully penetrated all areas in the province. Poor and busy
signals are common occurrences. Aside from the technology,
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message relayed through chat or text posed some problems as
interpretation varies from the person sending and/or receiving
the message. This is one problem where face to face
communication can be best utilized.
The study proves that most Filipino families, especially
those with relatives abroad, have acquired cell phone units for
easy communication. It also attests to the fact that cellular
phones and internet connections are nowadays a necessity than
a luxury.
The limited landline phone connections on the upper part
of Cavite can be one reason why most families have at least
one cellular unit at home. Aside from the fact that the costs for
using telephone landlines are much more expensive than text
messaging, but this does not prevent them from using it,
particularly when communicating important messages to their
OFW relatives. They also use the landlines for emergency
purposes.
The use of mobile phones among OFW families is
prevalent. Although texting is one way of getting “connected”,
the emotional aspect of the communication is not clearly
deciphered. This can be the reason why despite being
connected with their children, children still feel the distance
between them. On the other hand, between partners, texting can
be an advantage since it eliminates or reduces tension when
communicating sensitive issues.
Likewise, it can be deduced from the study that the use of
ICTs has enhanced marital relationships. Both partners feel
comfortable when they can contact their loved ones anytime.
At the same time, mobile phones have been an instrument in
expressing their intimate feelings with one another. In general,
the use of mobile phone is preferred by many.
ICT is becoming very popular to get people connected.
There are various plans by government and the private sector to
make the system work for “bridging” the OFWs and their
families. There are promotional packages by big
communication companies such as Smart and Globe to make
communication via cellular phones accessible and affordable to
a greater number of OFWs and their families.
III. IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Filipino families e-culture brought by family members
reliance on information and communication technologies is a
very sensitive issue as it pertains the future of Filipino family
life. The family is the smallest unit of society where
fundamental values are inculcated. It is very precious. It
provides care, protection and best loved qualities suited to
teaching children the knowledge, skills and norms of the
society. The quality of family relationships is a crucial
determinant of the competence and confidence with the young
people face the major transition from childhood to adulthood .
Emotional bonding holds families together and gives each
member a sense of belonging. Among OFW families, the use
of mobile phone and other new technologies have provided a
link between them even if they are miles apart. However, a
close monitoring on the effects of temporary migration of
either parents to their children should be a greater concern.
While ICT’s have helped them attached with their parents
abroad, there are areas which suggest that the technology has
not filled the physical absence of either parent.
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