Does emigration destroy families?
Submitted by FatherSean on Fri, 04/03/2009 - 09:32.
The following item appears in the Mabuhay www.mabuhay.catholic.org.hk section of the 22 March issue of Sunday Examiner http://sundayex.catholic.org.hk , the English-language weekly of the Diocese of Hong Kong edited by my Columban colleague from Australia, Fr Jim Mulroney. ‘Mabuhay’ [maBOOhi] is a Tagalog word meaning ‘Long Life’ and is used in such phrases as ‘Mabuhay ang Pilipinas’, ‘Long live the Philippines’ and ‘Mabuhay ang Santo Papa’, ‘Long live the Holy Father’.
I’ve dropped the name of the person featured in the item, written by Lynn C. Salinas of the Love of God Prayer Group, Choi Hung, since I’m focusing on the values in the article. ‘NN’ is a Filipina working in Hong Kong.
Forty-four-year-old NN is a softly-spoken mother of five lovely daughters and a faithful wife to her husband. She has been working abroad for 12 years. During that time, her daughters were left in the care of her husband, who has been their father and mother.
NN’s faith was put to the test when the man whom she trusted gave in to the temptations of the flesh, while she worked away from home.. Upon learning this, she stood firm in her faith and prayed for the strength to confront him.
Full of humility, she forgave her husband’s infidelity for the sake of their daughters and the vow they made in matrimony before God. Her patience and understanding somehow helped to open his eyes and pushed him to work harder as the father and mother of the family.
He has been fortunate of late and got a job as a skilled worked in Canada. Their eldest daughter is now working in Dubai. NN has never regretted giving her husband a second chance. She said, ‘If our hearts have no space for stubborn refusal to forgive, revenge or anger, the blessings of the Lord will flow easily into our lives’.
Amid trials, she has shown her unshakeable trust in the Lord by dedicating he time to humble service of others. Currently she is the coordinator of the Love of God Prayer Group.
NN longs to be with her husband and children soon. However, life is full of uncertainties, so she just surrenders everything to the will of Our Father for her family.
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The January issue of Inside the Vatican www.insidethevatican.com carries an interview with Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki of Lviv of the Latins, Ukraine, in which he is asked ‘You often say that the family is a big problem in Ukraine . . .’
The archbishop replied, ‘It’s true. There is a sky-high divorce rate in Ukraine. It is a big social and moral problem. Families split up on account of emigration, especially the emigration of women who leave the country in search of a job. Children are often left with their fathers. The family is then one of our greatest concerns. We therefore promote movements to act in support of the family, like the Family Oasis and the Family Movement, and provide spiritual assistance for children and young people.’
I would welcome comments on the above.
An expensive price
In the midst of Philippine crisis, working abroad has become a solution to many Filipinos. The money that a family member can give is far more than what they can provide when they would work in the country.
But only few things are free. In fact, the affluence from working abroad is traded to sacrifices due to separation from loved ones. Broken homes maybe the worst effect of overseas employment which affects children the most.
I think it is better if the whole family migrate, given an opportunity. But the best would be to stay in the Philippines and serve the countrymen.
As it is not avoidable for some family members to be working abroad, let us just pray that the spouse left will surpass the test of fidelity and that children be inspired by the sacrifices of their parents.
Related website:
http://layman-perspective.blogspot.com/2008/12/overseas-filipino-workers...
family and emigration
Emigration is the act of leaving one's native country or region to settle in another. Overseas Filipino Workers are hailed as the country's new heroes for their vital contributions in our economy. However, brain drain especially for skilled workers and professionals from different fields have gone rampant. The threatening permanent loss of highly skilled and educated people in the Philippines is a reason for growing concern.But this is only one of the many other concerns that are just interconnected.
When a family member, most especially a parent would leave, the major question would then be, 'what will now happen to their home?'
Most Filipinos wanted to leave the country because of the unfavorable economic conditions we are experiencing here. Many resort to leaving their families behind to give them a good quality of life. The children and the rest of the family members would be affected. Yet, we cannot deny the reality so it is very important that families would really do their best to maintain their harmonious relationship with each other. There should still be openness and understanding, acceptance and collaboration. Family members should help each other and be strengthened by prayers for one another.
"For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and future."
-Jeremiah 29:11-