Community, Work and Family
Volume 12, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 299-312

Work and family divided across borders: The impact of parental migration on Mexican children in transnational families (Article)

Lahaie C.* , Hayes J.A. , Piper T.M. , Heymann J.
  • a Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, 1130 Pine Ave. West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
  • b Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, 1130 Pine Ave. West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
  • c Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, 1130 Pine Ave. West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
  • d Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, 1130 Pine Ave. West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada

Abstract

Using new data collected in high emigration communities within Mexico, we explore the impact of partial family migration on children left behind in Mexico. Multivariate results suggest that households where respondents have a spouse who was a caregiver and who migrated to the USA are more likely to have at least one child with academic, behavioral, and emotional problems than non-migrant households. This finding supports efforts to decrease the need for families to cross borders either by decreasing the economic necessities for migration or by designing immigration policies aimed at decreasing the separation of families across borders and increasing family support after a caregiver's departure to the USA. The end goal of these efforts and policies is to improve children's health and well-being in communities with high levels of migration. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

Transnational families Migration caregiving Family well-being Children's health Children's well-being

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70449652009&doi=10.1080%2f13668800902966315&partnerID=40&md5=be5efa0881881eba6ecc1ef9c07b0fbc
DOI: 10.1080/13668800902966315
ISSN: 13668803
Cited by: 50
Original Language: English