They are also Parents They Are Also Parents - A Study on Migrant Workers | Page 32

CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
internet cafés. I was worried she was becoming addicted, but we’re so far
Figure 17: Impact of parenthood on the lives of migrant workers (multiple choice)
away from her, that we wouldn’t have a clue if there was a problem. During 90%
the summer holidays I went back again and brought her back here”. 80%
70%
The impact on work performance and employment stability
Being away from their children had a clear impact on the work performance of
migrant parents, with many feeling distracted and lacking commitment to the
job (59%); others making frequent errors due to their worry about children
(38%); and some feeling unhappy and unenthusiastic (33%).
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
This study found that the impact on the work of the parents of left-behind
children is greatest when the children are still infants, and again when they
10%
0%
I feel like has
lost meaning I'm often
anxious
because I am
worried about
my child Something
to do with
my child
has caused
tension in my
family I often feel
guilty, with a
sense of not
doing right by
my child I often miss
my child
and feel a
sense of real
sadness I'm irritable
and often
find my
relationships
with other
becoming
tense
0-1 year old 28% 55% 32% 60% 58% 15%
1-2.5 year old 33% 44% 23% 74% 63% 12%
3-6 year old 29% 44% 21% 72% 59% 6%
7-10 year old 22% 44% 21% 76% 58% 5%
11-14 year old 21% 38% 28% 77% 52% 5%
15-18 year old 26% 41% 19% 73% 53% 10%
reach adolescence. In comparison, the impact on parents of the migrant
children is relatively smaller. As noted before, these parents are often among
the most stable of all workers. However, overall, among the top 5 reasons for
quitting work, 3 were family related, including “taking better care of the child”
(Figure 16). At least 42% of interviewed workers have in the past left their job
because their children, and 9% have done so often.
Figure 16: Reasons for migrant parents to leave employment
Age of child
Reason for resignation Migrant parents with
left behind children Migrant parents keeping
children with them Better taking care of children 46% 52% The majority of the parents of left-behind children we interviewed in
For older people ate home 29% 17% Chongqing have previously worked in other economically developed provinces,
Better self development 26% 19% such as Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu. The main reason that they had
Bored with previous job 12% 8% For marriage and children 27% 22% health, education, and appropriate care played a major role in the decision to
Too much pressure at work 8% 4% leave work and to return home. It is therefore in the company’s interest that
Desiring better management 9% 8% the workers are not separated from their children and have opportunities to
Bad working condition 19% 22%
moved back to Chongqing was to be closer to home, making it easier to take
care of their children. As shown in the figure below, the concerns for children’s
address the challenges to their family’s wellbeing.
On the other hand the parents of migrant children are more likely to resign
because their children cannot attend schools close to their workplace. The
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