Educational aspirations and outcomes of children: experiences of children of overseas Filipino workers

Lindy Williams, Cornell University
Marie Joy B. Arguillas, Cornell University

Many studies in Europe and the U.S. have been done on the consequences of household structure on children. Perhaps a majority of these analyze the impact of ‘non-traditional’ family structures. In the Philippines, alternative family forms also exist, including the increasingly common family pattern characterized by a combination of solo and overseas parenting that has been brought about by large-scale international migration. This research examines the impact of international migration on children left behind using a combination of survey and indepth interview data. Preliminary findings indicate that having only one parent abroad does not necessarily impact schooling outcomes per se. Gender differences are apparent, however, and effects of having two parents abroad are more pronounced for certain outcome variables.