CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Rationale

In the context of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the absence of a parent working abroad
exerts a profound influence on their children, giving rise to emotional distress characterized by
feelings of loneliness and anxiety. In such cases, the remaining parent often takes on the role of
a single parent, struggling to balance work, household responsibilities, and their children's needs,
resulting in stress and exhaustion. Additionally, the high cost of living necessitates lifestyle
adjustments. Education can suffer as well, with children missing out on parental support, which
impacts their academic performance and motivation. Communication difficulties due to time
differences and limited access to technology further complicate matters. Recognizing these
challenges is vital, particularly in light of the significant role education plays in the Philippines.
Understanding how OFW parental absence affects students' academic achievements is crucial
for informed policymaking and the development of support systems to ensure the educational
success and well-being of Filipino youth in evolving family dynamics.

This study recognizes the changing family dynamics in the Philippines due to the prevalence of
OFW parents, it helps society adapt to these changes and provides insights into how family
structures impact educational outcomes. This research helps us understand how the absence
of parents due to overseas work affects the educational achievements of Filipino students, it
provides insights into the challenges they face and how these challenges impact their academic
performance.This study aims to examine the connection between the absence of parents due to
overseas work, and the academic achievement of Filipino students. This inquiry is crucial due to
the significance of education in the Philippines and the emerging trend of Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFW) parental absence, which raises concerns about its potential impact on students'
educational outcomes. Understanding how this absence influences students' academic
achievements is vital for informed policy making and the establishment of support systems to
guarantee the educational success and overall well-being of Filipino youth, given the evolving
dynamics within Filipino families.

A study conducted by Semyonov et. Al. (2010) in Mexico investigate the impact of parental
absence of OFW employment on the educational outcomes of Filipino students. With millions
of Filipinos working abroad, a growing number of students are left behind, prompting varied
findings in existing research regarding the consequences of parental absence on education. The
study's objectives include assessing the influence of overseas employment on student's
educational outcomes and identifying factors that moderate this relationship. Utilizing data
from the 2003 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, encompassing 1,429 children aged 6 to
17, the study reveals a negative impact on educational outcomes, particularly for children from
lower-income families, with girls being more affected than boys. The analysis further identifies
 moderating factors such as the child's age, gender, and the parents' educational attainment. In
conclusion, the study underscores the adverse effects of parental overseas employment on
Filipino students' education, emphasizing the significance of considering moderating factors
and advocating for targeted interventions to mitigate these impacts. The findings hold crucial
implications for policymakers and practitioners, urging the development of supportive programs
and interventions to address the educational challenges faced by students of OFW parents.

A study conducted by Avelino, et. Al. (2020) entitled "Children of Overseas Filipino Workers and
their Academic Performance mentioned that having an OFW parent has on the quality of life of
senior high school students and their academic performance. Discovering the conditions and
lifestyles of the families of OFWs in Tagum City, this study found that most of the OFWs come
from poor families, thus it is poverty that drove them to work abroad and that most of those
who are lured abroad for better life. Children of the OFW are oftentimes deprived of the
attention and guidance from parents, who long for the care that their parents fail to provide due
to working away from home to provide their basic needs. In the absence of an opportunity for
economic survival and self worth, members of the family are obliged to grab prosperity on one
hand and cling on the double edged knife on the other. Previous studies have evaluated the
impact of self efficacy, stress, and other variables on the performance of senior high school
students.

This study has been a valuable research conduct on the impact of OFW parental absence on the
academic performance of Senior High School students, a notable research gap exists
concerning the academic performance of the students in parental absence. Supported by the
Philippine Statistics Authority's findings, this gap urgently demands attention due to its potential
to perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality. Children of OFW parents who struggle
academically are less likely to secure quality employment, potentially perpetuating the need for
overseas work, leaving their own children in a similar predicament. Compounding this urgency is
the increasing number of OFW parents, exceeding 10 million globally in 2022, which means
millions of Filipino children are growing up without their parents at home, emphasizing the
issue's critical nature. While several factors, such as limited parental guidance, emotional stress,
and financial constraints, contribute to this gap, it's vital to recognize that not all children of
OFW parents face academic difficulties. Nevertheless, addressing this pressing issue entails
providing comprehensive support to OFW families, fostering parental involvement in education,
and raising awareness to ensure that all Filipino children have an equitable opportunity to excel
academically and realize their full potential.