Family with parents abroad in the context of province

Abstract

The current Lithuanian family is strongly influenced by extensive emigration. Emigration mainly affects rural and provincial communities. Thus, there is a new model of the family in Lithuania - family with Parents Abroad, where family members live in different countries. This family mode is conditioned by globalization and the free movement of labour force as well as social and economic situation in Lithuania. As a consequence, Lithuania has increasing numbers of children whose parents work abroad. The aim of the research was to reveal to which socialization problems are commonly faced by children due to emigration of their parents. It was found that more socialization problems were encountered by children of families with both parents having emigrated abroad. When both parents (or one of them) emigrate, children’s anxiety levels are above average and their learning becomes poorer.