The Impacts of Child Out-Migration on the Parents’ and Migrants’ Livelihood: The Case of Muher and Aklil Woreda of Gurage Zone
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the causes and impacts of child out migration both on the lives
of the migrants and their parents, the extent to which the child out migration affected the socioeconomic
activities of the sending community, and challenges and coping mechanisms of the
parents and the migrants. The study uses the DFID livelihoods framework and different
migration theories for analysis. The study employed sample survey in order to collect
information on socio-demographic characteristics, infrastructural, socio-cultural and economic
factors behind the child out migration, and the positive and negative impacts on parents and
migrants livelihoods. The survey data were coded and entered into the computer for the
statistical analysis using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Moreover, focus group discussion in both rural kebeles was conducted with parents and
community elders about the trend and migration decisions of the children. In addition, in-depth
and key informant interview was held with community elders, woreda and kebele officials.
The study findings indicate that infrastructural limitations contributed their part on the child out
migration and economic problems (poverty) in place of origin and the better economic
opportunities at the destination are the major factors behind migration which goes in line with
Ravenstein’s, Lee’s and cumulative and circular causation theories of migration. Migration as a
livelihood strategy has both positive impact like remittance and asset development and negative
impact like creating dependency and rural poverty.
The study also finds out poverty as a root cause for and consequence of child out migration in
the study area, since the decision of the children to migrate is influenced by poor living
conditions at home and the departure of the children resulted in weakened socio-economic
activity in the rural community. Consequently, the rural community lost its productive youth and
became unable to get rid of poverty as the migrants didn’t invest on increasing livelihood assets
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Sociology