Migration affects children in various ways, depending on their circumstances. They may be left behind by one or both parents, migrate with their families, or migrate alone. The impact of migration on children and adolescents is influenced by the broader context of poverty and conflict, as well as factors such as vulnerability, resilience, gender relations, and children's rights.
Migration encompasses people who have settled long-term in a new country but were born abroad, or whose parents or grandparents were born in another country. These migrants often speak a native language that differs from that of the host country. Economic, socio-political, and environmental factors play significant roles in determining the timing, direction, and nature of migration.
Children and adolescents who migrate experience changes in family relationships, social integration, and educational performance. Migration can have profound psychological and social effects on both individuals and families. Families migrate for various reasons, including the pursuit of a better life, but some migrations are driven by war, famine, and the need for safety. Refugee families often face additional stress, living in camps and awaiting relocation.
Migration also introduces significant changes to family dynamics, as it connects the culture of origin with the new culture. Children must navigate their identities in relation to their family, peers, and the new social environment. Factors such as age, gender, social class, and race influence how easily children assimilate into the new culture, with younger children generally adapting more easily.
Child refugees, in particular, often come from conflict zones and may be separated from their guardians, leading to uncertainty about when or if they will reunite. Migration’s impact on children is thus complex and multifaceted, affecting their development, identity, and overall well-being.
Impact on Children
Migration significantly impacts children in various ways, affecting their emotional, behavioral, social, and educational development. These effects vary depending on whether children migrate with their families, are left behind, or are refugees or asylum seekers. The following categories explore the diverse challenges and experiences faced by migrant children, highlighting the complexities of integration, identity formation, and the broader context of their well-being.
Emotional and Behavioral Impact
Children living with both parents generally have fewer emotional and behavioral problems. These issues can be categorized into:
- Internalizing Problems: Immigrant children often experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints compared to their non-immigrant peers.
- Externalizing Problems: Issues like hyperactivity, aggression, and defiant behaviors are similar between immigrant and non-immigrant children, though adolescent immigrants who have spent more time in the destination country may exhibit some differences.
Impact on Children Migrating with Families
Children who migrate with their families face several challenges:
- Trauma from Detachment: Separation from familiar surroundings and loved ones can be deeply traumatizing for children.
- Health and Educational Benefits: Migration can provide better access to healthcare and education, although these benefits are not uniformly experienced.
- Labor and Social Exclusion: Children may end up working in hazardous conditions or face social exclusion, leading to additional stress and risks.
- Integration Challenges: High levels of stress are associated with identity struggles, discrimination, relational stress, isolation, and social inferiority.
- Risks: Migrant children are at a greater risk of dropping out of school, teenage pregnancy, juvenile crime, incomplete citizenship rights, and difficulty accessing social services.
Impact on Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Children
Children who are refugees or asylum seekers face unique challenges:
- Trauma: Many deal with the aftermath of war, family disruptions, or separation.
- Discrimination and Identity Struggles: These children often struggle with discrimination, psychosocial problems, and difficulties in forming their identities.
- Intergenerational Tensions: Differences between the cultural norms of the home country and the new country can cause tensions within families.
- Transnational Families: Staggered and chain migration can complicate family dynamics and children's sense of stability.
Impact on Children Left Behind
The impact on children left behind depends on which parent migrates:
- Father Migration: Often results in female-headed households and increased poverty, which can negatively impact children's education and well-being.
- Mother Migration: Children may experience significant psychosocial effects, including impacts on their health and education, along with potential abuse. Changes in domestic gender roles and family structures may also occur.
- Both Parents Migrating: When both parents migrate, children are often left in the care of grandparents or other relatives, which can affect their well-being, health, and education.
Integration and Cultural Impact
Integration into a new society brings numerous challenges:
- Assimilation: Migrant children must balance maintaining their native language and culture while assimilating into the new society.
- Equal Participation: True integration means having equal rights and opportunities within the new society.
- Discrimination: Children facing frequent discrimination often experience higher levels of depression, lower self-esteem, and increased stress and anxiety.
- Cultural Identity: Negative stereotypes about their ethnic group can lead to negative feelings about their own ethnicity.
