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INTENTION : |
That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties.
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According to the International Organization of Immigrants (OIM), in the last decade, the quantity of people who immigrated increased by 150 million in the year 2000 to 214 million in 2010, notably due to the poverty of the peoples, to wars, to climate changes and to natural disasters.
In its history, the majority of the immigrants have been men, fathers, who left and who years later, sent for their wives and children, or who saved money to return home. Today, immigration is increasingly feminine. Mothers who flee from an atmosphere of family violence and abandonment, women who were left behind, many times with small children by men who never returned, and who had to undertake by themselves, young and alone, a secret migration, paying a big fee for the trip. Being vulnerable, they were exposed to violent and exploitable situations, and remained trapped in a series of unworthy activities, especially if they were "undocumented" and could be victims of unsavoury people. Today women make up 49 percent of all immigrants and only a small percentage of those who leave return. Frequently, one can see "fractured" families, separated by large distances, which live with the hope of reunion. These families are called "transnational" families.
The separation of these families causes stress, especially in the mother who migrates and in the younger children who remain in their native country. Anxiety, sadness, fear, feelings of frustration and low self-esteem are produced which affect their mental and physical health. Upon arriving at their sheltering country, the families experience a "cultural shock", which begins with enthusiasm and optimism and can end with adaptation, or with rejection of the new culture if the immigrant finds himself marginalized and socially isolated. Even when the separation is done in a planned way, like voluntary immigration, there are always effects in those who immigrate and those who remain behind; effects which worsen in cases of forced immigration, for example those who flee from war or who are torture victims.
The disintegration of the family carries with it at times serious psycho-social problems like alcoholism, drug addiction, gangs, etc. The migrant's children feel abandoned, are vulnerable with identity problems, or are school dropouts and at times victims of sexual and physical abuse.
We need to reflect upon the consequences which such harm can occasion. Although family reunification constitutes the solution to eradicate family disintegration, it is merely a first step to the immigration problems. Consider that the families live in a situation that does not receive proper attention; the application of preventative and intervening strategies are necessary for those who immigrate with their families. The transnational immigrated families need to be heard by us and to share their experiences of life, helping them to realize their own capabilities, to give them the opportunity to change their tendency towards isolation and to a submissive frame of mind which the process of immigration can provoke. We have the responsibility to make it possible that diversity is accepted by the married couple, in the family, and in our society, welcoming appropriately fathers, mothers and children of immigrated women. We need to generate an intercultural relation, to spread and carry out the norms of the accepted country. There is a need to begin strategies for the benefit of education and the sensitization of human rights; to favour groups who are willing to help or for a network of social support towards a true integration and love among the people.
Leticia Marin
Transcultural psychology, works with migrant families in Italy and Latin America
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