MIDTERM PERIOD (Research Output): TRANSNATIONAL FAMILIES

Members:
Ballesteros Jackie Lyn, Calumba Jaslie, Gotengco Gian Carlo,
Macasaet Euri Gwy Neth, and Pontilla Joshua

A. Description Of Transnational Families in the Philippine Context

Families who live apart but maintain a "feeling of communal well-being and
oneness, in short, "family hood," even beyond national borders are referred to as
"transnational" families (Bryceson and Vuorela 2002). Transnational couples, such as
migrant spouses or partner and a non-migrant spouse or partner, migrant parents and
their non-migrant children who stay at "home," as well as migrant spouses and their
elderly non-migrant parents and siblings, are among them. They represent the point
where the needs and aspirations of the individual and the family meet the opportunities
and limitations of the structural framework. Such families are not a recent phenomenon;
they are an inevitable byproduct of migration (Communications, 2016).

Filipinos who live and work abroad are known as Overseas Filipino workers
(OFW). Many people leave their families to work abroad, drawn by the opportunities and
financial rewards that are available there and far exceed those in the Philippines. The
dependency of the Filipino economy on these OFWs keeps growing (Taylor & Sciences,
2008).

A growing community of transnational migrant families has emerged in the

Philippines as a result of a huge increase in labor migration. As a consequence of
parents being compelled to work abroad in order to send their kids to school, offer them
access to high-quality healthcare, or, in some circumstances, just give them enough
food, thousands of kids today grow up without one or both of their parents (Stanford
University Press, n.d.).
 B. Latest Report on Transnational Families
Average Filipinos have left their families behind over the years in quest of
opportunities to provide for their families and themselves. Undoubtedly, lack of access
to secure employment, social welfare benefits, and long-lasting public services has
resulted in a symptom of common people's mobility outside of the Philippines
(Cabalquinto, 2023).

Inflation and poverty have added to this normalization of migration. An inflation

rate of 8.7% in the first quarter of 2023 is too high for a nation where the majority of
people are from low- and poor families. In 2021, 3.5 million Filipino families were
categorized as poor because they did not have enough money to cover the needs of
each member of the home. In 2022, this number rose to 12.9 million Filipino families
(Cabalquinto, 2023).

Filipino society is fundamentally shaped by overseas migration, which sustains

the state's economy. It was historically encouraged by the introduction of the Labor
Export Policy (LEP) with Presidential Decree 422 in 1974, under the presidency of
President Ferdinand Marcos. It was determined to be a short-term band-aid solution to
the Philippines' problems with poverty, unemployment, and underemployment.
According to a recent survey, there were 1.83 million Filipinos working abroad in 2021,
up from 1.77 million in 2020. Given that 1.10 million (60.2%) of migrants from the
Philippines are women and 0.73 million (39.8%) are men, this statistic further highlights
the feminized nature of Philippine immigration. Many Filipinos face poverty and limited
employment opportunities. Numerous mothers leave the Philippines to work as
domestic workers in order to alleviate poverty and provide adequate resources for their
families. Importantly, the Philippine government gains from the remittances that Filipinos
living abroad send home. The total amount of remittances sent in 2022 was 36.14 billion
(Cabalquinto, 2023).

Filipino migrants and the family left behind take part in the transnational family
hood, which involves care reconfiguration and role-shifting. According to Cabalquinto
(2023), grandparents of migrant parents were frequently entrusted with child fostering
and dependency, which included mediating the relationship between migratory parents
and children left behind. While they carry out the majority of caregiving duties, they
frequently deal with the various problems of caregiving, mediation, and aging. In spite of
the difficulties of adjusting to transnational parenting, the lived experiences and
sociocultural aspects of grandparent caring reflect their unconditional devotion to the
migrants' family.

C. Effects and Disadvantages of Transnational Families

In the Christian view, transnational families can have both positive and negative
effects, just as in any other context. However, there are also some unique
considerations from a Christian perspective.

Positive Effects:
● Missionary work: Transnational families may be able to serve as missionaries in
different parts of the world, spreading the gospel and serving others.
● Support for family members: Transnational families can provide financial and
emotional support to family members in need, particularly in areas where there
may be limited resources or social safety nets.
● Building bridges: Transnational families can help build bridges between
different cultures and communities, promoting understanding and cooperation.
● Faithfulness and sacrifice: Transnational families may be called to demonstrate
faithfulness and sacrifice in difficult circumstances, which can be a powerful
witness to others.

Negative Effects:
● Family separation: Transnational families can experience significant family
separation, which can be particularly challenging for those who are separated
from spouses, children, or elderly parents.
 ● Strained relationships: Communication difficulties, cultural differences, and
divergent expectations can also strain family relationships, particularly when
family members are separated by long distances.
● Cultural identity: Transnational families may struggle to maintain their cultural
identity and heritage, particularly in countries where Christianity may be a
minority religion or where there is pressure to assimilate into the dominant
culture.
● Loss of community: Transnational families may also experience a loss of
community, particularly when they are living in areas where there are few other
Christians or where they may face persecution or discrimination.

Other Disadvantages:
Transnational families can struggle with maintaining a sense of unity and
closeness despite physical distance. In Christian theology, the family is seen as a
fundamental unit of society, and Christians are called to love and care for their family
members (1 Timothy 5:8). The physical distance that comes with transnational families
can make it difficult to fulfill this calling, but technology can help bridge the gap by
enabling regular communication and virtual gatherings. Moreover, these families may
face cultural differences and language barriers, which can lead to
misunderstandings and conflict. Christianity teaches that all people are made in
God's image and should be treated with love and respect (Genesis 1:27, Matthew
22:39). In the context of transnational families, this means seeking to understand and
appreciate each other's cultures and languages. Furthermore, they can experience
feelings of loss and grief due to the separation caused by migration. Christianity
offers comfort and hope in times of grief through the belief in eternal life and the
promise of a reunion in heaven (John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

In conclusion, transnational families face unique challenges, but from a Christian

perspective, there are ways to maintain a sense of unity and closeness, appreciate
cultural differences, and find comfort and hope in times of separation and grief.
 D. Bible Verses
● "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave
me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35
● "I needed clothes and you clothed me, and I was sick and you looked after me,b I
was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:36
● "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him." Leviticus
19:33
● "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among
you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of
Egypt: I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:34

Christians are called to show compassion and hospitality towards immigrants and
strangers (Matthew 25:35-36, Leviticus 19:33-34). This means that Christians should
welcome and support immigrant members of transnational families, and work towards
creating welcoming communities that embrace diversity and cultural differences.

E. What is the Church’s Response to Transnational Families

Religious life has long been global. Contemporary migrants extend these ties by
transnationalizing everyday religious life. While much has been written about
transnational economic and political practices, transnational religious life is not well
understood. This paper examines the institutional characteristics of transnational
religiosity and has three broad goals. First, it reviews this emerging body of literature
and proposes an approach to the study of transnational migrants' religious practices.
Second, it proposes three types of extended, negotiated, and recreated transnational
religious organizations. Finally, it begins to untangle the relationship between
transnational religion and politics.

According to Catholic social teaching, migration should be a matter of choice, not

necessity. People have a right not to have to migrate, and states have a responsibility to
provide the minimal conditions that would allow their residents to flourish and realize
their God-given rights at home.

The church is depicted by many symbols, metaphors, and models. The church is
also described with regard to its substance and its functions. The church in relation to
migrants in theological terms is referred to as 'hospitality' and 'pilgrim'. These two
metaphors represent both the substance and function of the church, yet challenge the
role of the church in the growing global migration trends and movements. Whilst the
church has been a refuge and home for many migrants, the extent to which it
challenges the false identities of migrants comes under scrutiny from theological
approaches to the research of migrants.

Pilgrim church is fluid, yet it has firm foundations. The church is open and
welcoming to those who are different. The church has firm foundations like tradition, the
Word, confessions, and doctrines that provide constancy. The church gathers all
persons from all parts of the world, from different cultures, languages, and habits into a
continuous journey of the whole making. Migrants fit this category well and the church
affirms their identity based on the affirmation of human dignity and freedom of all
people. Pilgrim church models the moving, fluid identity of the migrant. Pilgrim church
affirms migrants as created in the image of God. The journey of migrants is meaningful
within the divine journey of the church with Christ as its head.

F. Our Group’s Moral Stand in Transnational Families

Transnational families are families that are separated by national borders, often
due to migration or employment opportunities. When it comes to moral stands as a
Catholic in transnational families, there are several key principles that you may want to
consider.

● As a Catholic, you are called to love and care for all people, regardless of
their nationality, ethnicity, or background. This means that you should strive
 to maintain positive relationships with all members of your family, regardless of
where they are living.
● The Catholic Church recognizes the importance of family unity and the
need to support and care for one another. In transnational families, this may
mean finding ways to stay connected and involved in each other's lives, despite
the physical distance between you.
● The Catholic Church teaches that all human beings have inherent dignity
and worth, regardless of their circumstances or background. This means
that you should treat all members of your family with respect and kindness,
regardless of any differences or conflicts that may arise.

Overall, as a Catholic in a transnational family, you are called to live out the
principles of love, unity, and respect for all human beings. This may require some
creativity and effort, but with patience and perseverance, it is possible to maintain
strong and healthy relationships with all members of your family, regardless of where
they are living.

References:

Ballaret, J. R. (2022). Understanding the Transnational Care Arrangements:

Experiences in Nonparental Care in the Case of the Filipino Transnational Families.

The Family Journal, 31(2), 255–261.

https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807221104114

https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/transnational-filipino-families-in-

the-digital-era/

https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/2014/transnational-families/

https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=6841