A Qualitative Inquiry Into The Educational Processes Of Migrants’ Children In Paraguay

• In Event: 242 - Section on International Migration Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 11. Education, Schooling, and Immigration

Abstract

International labor migration is a powerful social process that not only affects countries but individuals, families, and communities. The migration of a parent often has influential consequences for the family that remains behind. One of the debated consequences is the impact that parental migration has on children’s education. Using qualitative data obtained from 20 in-depth interviews with children of migrants and their resident parents and caretakers in Tobatí, Paraguay, this study employs grounded theory methodology to explore the consequences of labor migration of parents for the experiences and aspirations of children who remain in the country-of-origin across two intersecting life domains; family and education. This approach demonstrates three changes in children’s lives as a result of migration. First, children and caretakers describe a shift in family structure and power dynamics. Second, respondents portray supportive familial and communal relationships both in the community-of-origin and abroad that ameliorate some of the negative aspects of changes in family structure. Lastly, this study describes the tangible consequences of migration on children’s current and future educational aspirations and plans for migration.

Author

• Christopher Scott Inkpen, Pennsylvania State University