NOTE: The Week 4 e-consultation is now CLOSED. It is no longer possible to add new comments. For those of you who have not had time to read all of the comments from this e-consultation, please click here to download the summary of the discussion.

Congratulations to all the young people who have provided comments to the discussions so far!!! For those who are joining us for the first time, welcome to the fourth week of our e-discussion on youth migration. You have the opportunity to answer the questions for today and yesterday's. During the past weeks, young people have shared their ideas, stories and experience on the pre-migration process, staying in transit, their experiences in destination countries as well as how migration affects them when they choose to return or not return to their country of origin.

From 14-18 February 2013, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities that young people face when they are left behind by their migrant parents (Please scroll down this page for today's questions and comment below).

Your ideas and comments on the questions below will contribute directly to the forthcoming UN World Youth Report 2013. Usually 2-3 questions relating to the issue at hand will be posted each day for this consultation. This e-discussion is moderated by Michael Boampong and our guest moderator and Abby Generalia. Our moderators will be online to keep the discussion active. Please note that in responding to the questions below we encourage you to share your ideas and personal experiences, especially if you are a young migrant, return migrant, a child/relative of a migrant or a young person with ideas on the subject being discussed.

Meet the Moderators:

Michael Boampong, Lead moderator

Michael Boampong has been actively engaged in youth development and migration issues since 2005. He has worked with a range of civil society organizations, youth networks and international agencies such as UNDP and UNICEF in the design and implementation of policy and field oriented initiatives that promote rights based approaches to migration, poverty reduction, social inclusion and justice.

Abby Generalia, Guest moderator

Abby Generalia was one of the finalists to The 2011 World Bank International Essay Competition on Youth Migration. Her interest on migration issues was mainly drawn from her experience as a child of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Abby obtained a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines and is currently in the institution’s Master’s program in Asian Studies. Her research interests include migration, tourism, environmental policies, soft power, media and popular culture. She also currently works for the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila.

Background:

For a number of reasons, including the desire to improve their family’s economic and social conditions, many parents and caretakers choose to their leave children and families behind in their country of origin for better prospects in other countries.

Often the children (including young people age 15-35 years) of migrants are left in the care of their spouses, immediate relatives, or close friends. Others who find themselves with no caretakers for their children make the difficult decision to leave their children to care for themselves.

The phenomenon of transnational families - families whose members spend a significant portion of time separated from each other in different countries - contradicts the traditional concept of family which is that of a single household of family members playing particularly norm-dictated familial roles. However, studies show that in many cases, children of migrants are particularly impacted by their parent’s physical absence. While the situation may prove to have a positive impact on young people’s social and economic status, they may suffer emotional, psychological and social consequences of their parent’s absence. There are also potential negative outcomes in which sometimes young people left behind may be left to face intimidation and abuse at the hands of others as well as the emotional, psychological and social consequences of their parent’s absence.

Your experiences, views and opinions on this issue are most welcome. We would appreciate hearing from you with regard to the questions below: