Labour Migration and the Resilience of Romanian Children Alexandru Gulei, PhD “Alternative Sociale” Association

Alternative Sociale Association copiiinvizibili.alternativesociale.ro Alternative Sociale Association Innovation. Development. Cooperation

Direct services for elders Training for professionals Direct services for children victim of abuse/neglect, children at risk of becoming separated from their parents „Home alone” children (children left behind) Remigrant children (children returning to the country of origin) Children with parents in prison Children of divorce Children from residential care Direct services for elders Training for professionals Professional literature (working methodologies, studies and research, education programs), information/awareness raising/sensitization campaigns.

Juvenile Court System Social integration of prisoners Judicial management Anti-corruption/Magistrate’s professional ethics Training for Magistrates Spokespersons Training for professionals, professional literature, information/awareness raising/sensitization campaigns

Assistance for the victims of trafficking in persons Facilitation of integration of TCN Training for professionals Professional literature, studies, recommendation reports Lobby and advocacy www.singuracasa.ro (2007-2017) www.antitrafic.ro

Career guidance as a means to preventing abuse, exploitation Training for teachers Student’s Manual, Teacher’s Guide Good practices Regional partnerships – 25 institutions

Social Economy Journal (edited in partenership by Alternative Sociale and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași) www.profitpentruoameni.ro

Studies and research 2016 – Implementation of a program for developing anger management and prosocial skills for children from residential care. Evaluation report 2015 – Recommendations report on reduction of the vulnerabilities of Third Country Nationals to Trafficking in Human Beings (for the Romanian and EU context) 2013 – “Children with imprisoned parents, intervention for diminishing the negative consequences and improving mental health”, study conducted in a consortium consisting of Huddersfield University and Partners for Prisoners Support Group (UK); Technological University of Dresda and Treffpunkt e.V. (Germany) and “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University 2012 – „Remigration of Romanian children” 2011 – „NGOs in Iasi. Reality and potential of local development” 2010 – „Analysis of the justice system for children in Romania” 2008 – “National analysis of home alone children phenomenon, as a consequence of their parents work migration”, study conducted with the financial support of UNICEF Romania 2007 – “Study on child exploitation through dangerous agricultural works and other severe types of exploitation, in Iasi County” 2006 – “HOME ALONE! Study conducted in Iasi on children separated from one or both parents because they left to work abroad” 2002 – “Audit on the initiative of employment reintegration of former prisoners in Iasi”

Children, their families and labour migration

“Home Alone” Children Direct services ( over 2.500 children, since 2005-2018); Tools for professionals: methodologies for the social, psychological and juridical assistance of „Home Alone” Children (2007), remigrant children (2012) etc.; Studies and research: “HOME ALONE! Study conducted in Iasi on children separated from one or both parents because they left to work abroad”- 2006, “National analysis of the phenomenon of children ”home alone” as a consequence of their parents labour migration” (together with UNICEF – 2008). The latter fundamented the European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2009 on migrant children left behind in the country of origin; Training for professionals; Information/Awareness raising/Sensitisation campaigns Since 2007 - www.singuracasa.ro Direct services ( over 2.500 children, since 2005-prezent); Creation of tools („Metodologie de asistență socială, psihologică și juridică a copiilor rămași singuri acasă ca urmare a plecării părinților la muncă în străinătate”, câștigătoare la Gala Societății Civile, Secțiunea „Educație și Cercetare” – 2007, „Manual pentru profesioniștii care lucrează cu copiii singuri acasă ca urmare a plecării părinților la muncă în străinătate” - 2009); Realizarea de studii și cercetări: „SINGUR ACASĂ! Studiu efectuat în zona Iaşi asupra copiilor separaţi de unul sau ambii părinţi prin plecarea acestora la muncă în străinătate”- 2006, „Analiză la nivel național asupra fenomenului copiilor rămași acasă prin plecarea părinților la muncă în străinătate” împreună cu UNICEF – 2008. Această cercetare a fundamentat  Rezoluţia Parlamentului European din 12 martie 2009 referitoare la copiii migranților, care sunt lăsați în țara de origine http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2009-0132+0+DOC+XML+V0//RO; Formări pentru specialiști; Campanii de informare/conștientizare/sensibilizare: Campania „Ai grijă de copiii tăi oriunde ai fi!” (2007-2008), expoziții Photovoice (2008, 2009), campania „Alocații Europene” (implementată la nivel național cu sprijinul ANPDC și internațional cu sprijinul Ministerului de Externe - http://mae.ro/node/5987) (2009-2011), campania „Pleci la muncă în străinătate? Asistentul social de ajută” (2015-2018). Eforturile noastre au fost susținute și de câteva posturi centrale de televiziune și radio (ProTV - emisiunea „România, te iubesc”, Antena 1, Digi24 etc.); Din anul 2007 administrăm portalul național www.singuracasa.ro.

The Remigrant Children The study ”The Remigration of Romanian Children: 2008-2012”; Tools for professionals: „Working Methodology for the Psycho-social Assistance of Remigrant Children” (2012); Direct services for remigrant children and their families; Capacity building for professionals from social services; Information/awareness raising/development of the capacity of parents or of persons who care for remigrant children;

Elders ”Left Behind” Direct services (over 600 beneficiaries) „Working Methodology for the Psycho-social- juridical Assistance of Elders” (2012)”

Quantitative and Qualitative Data

The Home Alone Children

Romania 8th most populated EU country Total population of Romania: approx. 19.870.647 inhabitants (resident population, 2015) Children: 3.734.667

”Home Alone” Children. Official Quantitative Data (2008-2018) Încă de la început colectarea datelor oficiale a fost pusă sub semnul întrebării, atât prin compararea acestor date cu cele independente (în anul 2008 numărul copiilor singuri acasă estimat de Ministerul Muncii varia între 92.328 și 100.024 iar cel estimat de UNICEF/Asociația Alternative Sociale se ridica la peste 350.000) cât și prin compararea cu informațiile puse la dispoziție de alte surse oficiale. Din 2008 și până în prezent cifrele Ministerului Muncii au fost în mod constant semnificativ mai mici (uneori mai puțin de jumătate) decât cele oferite de Ministerul Educației Naționale. Administrația Prezidențială a publicat de curând o nouă statistică referitoare la numărul copiilor cu unul sau ambii părinți plecați la muncă în străinătate, utilizând date puse la dispoziție de Ministerul Educației Naționale. Conform sursei menționate la 1 martie 2019 peste 159.000 de copii rămași în țară se aflau în situația de a face față potențialelor efectelor negative ale migrației pentru muncă a părinților.

”Home Alone” Children. Official Quantitative Data (2008-2018) Estimates of the Ministry of Labour are constantly under-evaluated Compared to independent estimates. In 2008 the number estimated by the Ministry of Labour varied between 92.328 și 100.024; at the time UNICEF/Alternative Sociale Association estimated the number at over 350.000, Soros Foundation Romania - 175.000 children of secondary school age – grades V-VIII. Compared to estimates of other public institutions. In March 2019 – Ministry of Education estimated over 159.000 children. Încă de la început colectarea datelor oficiale a fost pusă sub semnul întrebării, atât prin compararea acestor date cu cele independente (în anul 2008 numărul copiilor singuri acasă estimat de Ministerul Muncii varia între 92.328 și 100.024 iar cel estimat de UNICEF/Asociația Alternative Sociale se ridica la peste 350.000) cât și prin compararea cu informațiile puse la dispoziție de alte surse oficiale. Din 2008 și până în prezent cifrele Ministerului Muncii au fost în mod constant semnificativ mai mici (uneori mai puțin de jumătate) decât cele oferite de Ministerul Educației Naționale. Administrația Prezidențială a publicat de curând o nouă statistică referitoare la numărul copiilor cu unul sau ambii părinți plecați la muncă în străinătate, utilizând date puse la dispoziție de Ministerul Educației Naționale. Conform sursei menționate la 1 martie 2019 peste 159.000 de copii rămași în țară se aflau în situația de a face față potențialelor efectelor negative ale migrației pentru muncă a părinților.

Qualitative Data

Effects The impact of separation (positive vs. negative): Emotional Care and development needs Rights Cultural

How children react to the separation The emotional reactions of the home alone children differ, based on: The age of children when the parent/parents left for the first time; The level of psycho-social development, the level of understanding, of awareness; Personality characteristics, the capacity to adjust to stress and to adjust to the changes which occurred in his/her life; The level of preparation for these changes, the duration of the separation from the parent/parents and the type of communication with the parents during the separation; The support received by the child from the support network, particularly the person in charge of the child’s care.

Care and development needs The absence of one or both parents may be associated with problems or with the certain needs of the children not being cared for: Food (lack of food, absence of certain categories of elements essential to growth etc.) Clothing (unsuitable to season, size, dirty clothes etc.) Hygiene (lack/poor hygiene, repelling smells, parasites), Medical neglect (absence of necessary care, skipping regular check-ups and vaccinations, not taking/taking wrongly the prescriptions etc.), Housing (poorly maintained house, lack of heating, risk of fire, missing/degraded furniture, toxic substances etc.), Education (sub-stimulation, instability of the system of punishment and rewards, lack of models for the acquisition of independent life skills, lack of supervision and support for the improvement of the school performance/attendance). Aside from neglect home alone children may become victims of different forms of abuse and exploitation.

Common problems Risks on children Overburdening with roles: taking on adult responsibilities (cooking, cleaning, paying the bills etc.), caring for younger siblings; Vulnerability to physical, psychological, sexual abuse, labour, trafficking and prostitution (sexual aggressors, traffickers, choose their victims from children left unprotected, unsupervised); Insufficient development of independent life skills: decision making, time and budget management, control and expression of emotions, communication, safety and security etc.; Poor acquision of moral norms: in the absence of a functional family model, of a safe and coherent environment home alone children will internalize a model of emotional neglect; Early debut of sex life: teenagers will look for affection and appreciation not just in the group of friends but also in intimate relations. Aside from neglect home alone children may become victims of different forms of abuse and exploitation.

Remigrant Children

The Remigration of Romanian Children: 2008-2012 National estimate Studied the effects of remigration on children (first study in the world) „The portrait” of the typical remigrant child Risks associated with maladjustment (SDQ – Goodman, 1999) Perception of remigrant children on protective factors; factors which inhibit adjustment Instrument de screening comportamental (SDQ – Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire – Goodman 1999) al copiilor şi adolescenţilor, pentru identificarea a patru tipuri de dificultăţi şi a măsurii în care acestea le afectează viaţa cotidiană (dificultăţi emoţionale, dificultăţi comportamentale, hiperactivitate / deficienţe de atenţie şi dificultăţi de relaţionare). Daphne JUST/2009/FRAC/AG/0933 - „Children’s rights in action. Improving Children’s rights in migration across Europe. The Romanian Case” Partners: Fondazione „Albero de la Vita”, Fondazione „Iniziative e Studi sulla Multietnicita, Universitat de Barcelona, Fundacion „Instituto de Reinsercion Social, Alternative Sociale Association

Quantitative Data

Size of the phenomenon 2008 – May 2012 Estimate on national level: ~33.000 during 2008-2012 7440 between 2014-2015, according to the Ministry of Education); a peak in 2009 when over 11.000 children returned;

Qualitative Data

How children react to returning home For most children the emotional state as a result of remigration is a positive one; still, for 16-17% of the children investigated remigration was associated with a moderate or accentuated negative emotional state (shame, sadness, fear, feeling of abandonment and anger); 20-30% of the children returning to Romania present a significant/major risk of developing a specific disorder from the prosocial spectrum: emotional difficulties, behaviour issues, inattention or relational. We approximate that on short and medium term the number of children with serious emotional and psychological issues cause by unassisted migration will grow by 1400- 1600 children yearly;

Emotional impact ... is independent in relation to gender, but it is nuanced by: residence (significantly higher risk of children from urban areas to develop negative emotions such as anger or sadness, as well as a general negative state compared to children from rural areas); age (significantly higher risk of children 15-17 years olds to develop a negative emotions such as sadness, fear, feeling of abandonment, as well as a general negative emotional state compared to 12-14 years olds); contact with the culture of the country of origin; The period of time spent abroad (the risk of developing negative emotions as a result of remigration becomes significant if the period of migration was longer then 3 years in which case feelings such as anger and sadness are likely to appear).

Risks Statistically, significant risks associated with remigration appear in the case: Children who were not consulted with regards to going abroad; Children who were not consulted with regards to returning to Romania; Children who refused to return to Romania; Children who spent more then 3 years abroad; Children who want to go back abroad; Children who admit that they did not adjust – socially or from the education point of view- in Romania; Children who returned to Romania from countries where Romanian communities are less developed.

Profile The analysis of the qualitative data showed that remigrant children: Know well at least one foreign language; Are familiarized with a different lifestyle and are nostalgic about it; They are appreciated abroad for the their school performances and knowledge; Have a medium to high level of anxiety; Are fearful; Are hesitant in establishing and developing relations with adults as well as with their peers; Have a low confidence in their abilities; Have a low aspiration level, including with regards to their school performance; In most cases have to repeat at least a school level (grade) that they graduated from abroad, without understanding why this needs to happen.

Resilience theory „A successful outcome in spite of grave threats to adjustment and development” (Masten 2001, 228) „the ability to overcome adversities generated by exposure to high risk life situation” (Greene 2008, 77 apud Luca et al. 2012, 50). Șerban Ionescu (Ionescu 2011, 4) proposes a definition of the concept based on 3 perspectives: • The capacity to adjust quickly to adversity and to recover after such situations; • An outcome, defined as the absence of mental health problems during or after situations that are know to generate such issues; • Processes that involve an interaction between the subject and the environment and protection factors (individual, of the family and of the environment) which moderate the risk of adversity. Aside from protective factors, which facilitate the overcoming of the difficult situation risk factors may occur, which may affect the individual’s capacity to adjust.

The perception of remigrant children with regards to their own adjustment. Protective factors From the perspective of the resilience theory (Ionescu 2009, Grotberg 1995), the perception of the remigrant children who believe they adjusted is that their success is mainly due to: Individual factors (being familiar with life in Romania, self-confidence, ability to ask for help, courage, ability to make decisions, being responsable, being lucky), Family factors (care and support provided by the family, including the extended family) Community factors (colleagues, teachers, neighbours). (Luca et al. 2012, 15). Profesorul Șerban Ionescu propune totuși o definiție proprie a conceptului utilizând trei perspective: Capacitate de a se adapta rapid la nenorocire sau adversitate, de a se recupera după asemenea situații; Rezultat constând în absența tulburărilor mentale în timpul sau după situații cunoscute ca generatoare de asemenea tulburări; Procese care implică o interacțiune subiect-mediu și factori de protecție (individuali, familiali și de mediu) moderatori ai riscului adversității. (Ionescu 2011, 4)

The perception of remigrant children with regards to their own adjustment. Inhibiting factors Children who believe they did not adjust say that the main factors responsible are: Individual factors (being used to the life abroad, forgetting the life in Romania, lack of self confidence, lack of abilities to ask for help, lack of courage, lack of decision-making abilities), Community factors (lack of suport from friends, lack of attention from colleagues and teachers) and Family factors (overburdening with tasks, insufficient parental support, parents’ absence). (Luca et al. 2012, 15).

Risks and protective factors In general (in approximately half of the situations) the children migrates and remigrates with both parents (may be an important protective factor in the emotional development and social development of children). In the case of the labour migration of one of the parents, regardless if it’s the mother or the father, the child stays with the mother. If the mother stays behind, the child stays with the mother, if the mother migrates she takes the child along. In nearly 30% of the cases the children were already separated from their parents working abroad when they emigrated (the children were “home alone” before migrating). In the case of these children three contexts overlap, which may contain risk factors with regards to their development: the separation, the emigration and the remigration. The period of time spent abroad varies, but for nearly half of the children it is longer then 3 years. This may pose a risk to their readjustment.

Thank you! Alexandru Gulei agulei@alternativesociale.ro www.alternativesociale.ro www.antitrafic.ro www.profitpentruoameni.ro www.singuracasa.ro