‘She never says goodbye when she leaves’: the Romanian families separated by migration
Many thousands of children live with at least one parent working abroad in what is one of the EU’s poorest countries
TL;DR
- Over 53,000 Romanian children have at least one parent working abroad, with over 10,000 having both parents or the sole provider away.
- The actual number of children affected by parental migration is estimated to be much higher, possibly over 530,000, due to parents not formally transferring guardianship.
- Economic disparities drive parents to seek employment in Western Europe, where wages are significantly higher than in Romania.
- Children often take on adult responsibilities, such as caring for elderly relatives and managing households, leading to emotional distress.
- The emotional impact on children includes feelings of guilt, anxiety, and aggression, with scarce psychological support available.
- Maintaining emotional bonds is a major struggle for parents abroad, with many citing costs as a reason for not returning home.
- Organizations like Save the Children provide after-school programs to support these children by offering activities, homework help, and meals.