OVERSEAS MIGRATION: BEHAVIOURAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS OF LEFT BEHIND CHILDREN IN AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR PAKISTAN

Abstract

International labor migration has become a crucial engine for economic development of many countries globally. The migration of rural people for jobs and better income to cities has resulted in the separation of many families. The present study measured the role of paternal overseas migration on behavioral and emotional problems of left behind children. The Sample comprised of 300 children, including 200 left behind children (boys n=100 and girls n=100) and 100 children of non-migrant parents (boys n=50 and girls n=50) as a control group. Sample was selected on the basis of purposive convenient sampling technique. Age range of children was from 6-18 years. Data of present study was collected by using Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and a demographic sheet. Findings showed significant difference in behavioral and emotional problems, children of overseas migrant parents have more problems as compared to children of non-migrant parents. Left behind children of non-working mothers were found to have more behavioural and emotional problems as compared to children of working mothers. Results of the present study showed gender and age wise nonsignificant mean differences on internal and external problems of left behind children however the findings indicate significant interaction effect of gender and age on internal and external behavioral and emotional problems of children in left behind families.