They are also Parents They Are Also Parents - A Study on Migrant Workers | Page 42

CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
5. Young workers and their expectations on
parenthood
CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
more about being good parents in the future. As such, it is likely that when
the younger generation is faced with a conflict between raising children and
work, they will put the well-being of children first.
When selecting employers, young workers mostly focused on career
development, and few considered potential family well-being. However more
than 70% felt they would make good parents in the future.
This study found that young migrant workers had higher awareness about
the importance of children’s need for nurturing love and care, healthy
emotional development, and ability to develop good social skills. Moreover,
almost all young workers thought that children should be raised by their
parents, in order to help them cultivate healthy values (72%), support their
comprehensive development (75%), and help their children’s social integration
(49%).
Young workers’ concerns about becoming future parents are similar to those
of migrant workers who already have children. Their main fears are:
• job insecurity and lack of a stable environment for children (80%)
• lack of appropriate guardians and parenting experience (44%)
• the high cost of upbringing (43%)
“If I have children, I will take them with me, because I have experienced that
kind of unhappiness,” says Qin Huan, 16, a young worker with many years of
experience as a left-behind child. “Although I haven’t thought about how to
solve the difficulties involved, I will take them with me. I have friends and I
will discuss this with. They won’t leave their children at home either; we will
take them with us and be part of their education."
Interviews such as the one above show the influence of past experience on
the new generation of migrant workers. Many of the young workers have
experienced being migrant and left-behind children, and they are keenly
aware of the pain caused by separation. When comparing the economic gains
from migration, with the alienation and emotional hurt involved, majority care
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