The Impact of International Migration: Children Left Behind in Selected Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean
Author(s): A. L. D'Emilio B. Cordero C. Skoog D. Comini J. Gough M. Dias R. Saab T. Kilbane
The aim of this paper is to better understand the impact of migration on children and families left behind. The report is based on secondary data from five countries: Mexico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Jamaica and Haiti. The paper provides an overview of migration patterns in the region by discussing the general characteristics of migrants and those who are left behind, taking into account trends in remittances and how migration affects family relations and gender roles. The emotional impact on family is also included in the analysis by looking at the challenges of parenting, emotional distress and vulnerability. The UNICEF report concludes that patterns of migration within the region are very diverse. However, the analysis of Mexico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Jamaica and Haiti demonstrates sufficient evidence that economic need is the primary drive for migration and that, in the short-term, family members left behind benefit in economic terms from remittances sent by migrants. Nevertheless, the effects of remittances on long-term economic growth and development need to be further explored, including from a gender perspective.