Children and Migration

Millions of children around the world are affected by migration. This includes girls and boys who migrate within and between countries (usually with their families but sometimes on their own), as well as children ‘left behind’ when their parents or caregivers migrate in search of economic opportunities. Be it forced or voluntary, by adults or children, migration affects children’s care situations and can entail risks to their protection.

Children on the move: Like adults, children often migrate in an attempt to build a better life – to escape poverty, discrimination or conflict, and to find education, employment and other opportunities. Others relocate due to an unstable or difficult family environment, such as the loss of a parent, or neglect or abuse from a caregiver. Children may migrate with or without their families, and their movements may be temporary, seasonal or permanent.

While migration can open up new opportunities for children, it can also expose them to harmful care situations, chronic poverty, violence and exploitation. During transit and at their destination, migrant children may end up in unsafe institutions, detention centres, on the streets or in overcrowded, poor-quality accommodation. Others who migrate to join households (e.g. for fostering, education, domestic work or apprenticeships) may be subjected to exploitation. Many migrant children, particularly those without documentation, end up without access to education, protection or basic services, while discrimination and language barriers make it difficult for them to reintegrate into new communities.

Children left behind. An increasing number of children around the world are also adversely affected when migrating parents leave home to seek out employment or economic opportunities (often in urban centres). While children may gain materially from remittances sent home, the absence of a parent may be detrimental to their social and psychological development. In particular, the nature and quality of children’s care relationships may suffer as they adjust to life without a loved caregiver and try to replace a physically and emotionally nurturing relationship with someone new.

Studies from around the world indicate that children left behind by migrating caretakers face education, health and psychosocial problems, including deteriorating academic performance and lower school attendance, greater risk of drug abuse, early pregnancy, involvement in criminal activities and social dysfunction. Left behind children may suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of abandonment, and in the worst cases may be vulnerable to violence, abuse and trafficking. While new or remaining caretakers can offer children a protective and caring environment they may also struggle to care for them without support, and breakdown of these relationships can sometimes result in children’s placement in harmful institutional care.

The documents in this section focus on the impact of migration on children’s care situations, and outline policy, advocacy and programmatic measures to enhance child migrants’ protection.

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Migration Control Policy and Parent – Child Separation Among Migrant Families: Evidence from China

Yuanyuan Chen, Wei Fu, 29 Jul 2023

This paper investigates the effects of a migration control policy in mega cities after 2014 in China on parent–child separation.

No Safe Place: Violence Among Unaccompanied Refugee Children Seeking Asylum in Kenya

Rosalind Raddatz, Matthew Kerby, 23 Jul 2023

This paper explores the rarely examined experiences of unaccompanied refugee minors in Nairobi, Kenya.

Expulsé·e·s par le changement climatique: répondre aux impacts genrés des déplacements climatiques - RÉSUMÉ À L’ATTENTION DES RESPONSABLES POLITIQUES

CARE, 07 Jul 2023

Les déplacements causés par le climat constituent une option de dernier recours. Ils concernent les personnes qui ne sont pas en capacité de s’adapter aux conséquences écologiques et sociales du changement climatique, en raison d’un manque de ressources ou d’autres inégalités.

Evicted by Climate Change: Confronting the Gendered Impacts of Climate-Induced Displacement - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS

CARE, 07 Jul 2023

Climate-induced displacement is an option of last resort. It preys on those who are unable to adapt to the ecological and social consequences of climate change, whether due to lack of resources or other inequities. For most of these people, climate-induced displacement is triggered by direct physical harm from extreme weather events or slow-onset impacts, but also by indirect consequences on food insecurity and conflict over natural resources and land rights.

Evicted by Climate Change: Confronting the gendered impacts of climate-induced displacement

CARE, 07 Jul 2023

This report outlines the causes and consequences of climate-induced displacement, and how the triple injustice of climate change, poverty and gender inequality must be met by transformative action: to support more gender-equal and resilient communities in sustainable environments.

Female Migration and Stay-Behind Children in Bangladesh

Sabnam Sarmin Luna , 01 Jul 2023

This paper examines South-South migration by investigating the stay-behind families of female migrants in Bangladesh with a focus on their unaccompanied children.

Webinar #14 - Foster Care for Children on the Move: The Gambia Experience

Transforming Children's Care Collaborative, 21 Jun 2023

The objective of this webinar was to present the best practices learnt in the implementation of the foster care system as an alternative to limited child care institutions for children on the move in The Gambia.

Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 - Session Recordings

Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2023), 21 Jun 2023

The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 focussed on action to help Ukraine build back better, greener and as a more resilient and prosperous European nation. In particular, URC 2023 aimed to generate greater momentum on the role of the private sector – and the reforms required to drive investment – as essential elements for Ukraine’s long-term recovery.

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Critical Social Work and Unaccompanied Refugee Minors’ Social Inclusion: An Example of Critical Best Practice

Aikaterini Oikonomou, Agapi Kandylaki, 15 Jun 2023

This article presents an example of critical best social work practice with unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. Based on a critical perspective, it focuses on social and community work interventions in the first reception centre, established in Greece, before the huge influx of refugees in 2015, aiming to support, empower and achieve social integration of the hosted youths.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: Prevalence, Contributing and Protective Factors, and Effective Interventions: A Scoping Review

Charles Oberg, Hayley Sharma, 26 May 2023

The objective of this global study was to review the current literature regarding PTSD in unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). The authors concluded that the high levels of mental health problems experienced in URM are due to exposure to traumatic experiences, separation from parents, and lack of social support.