Experiences of children whose fathers work abroad

This study aimed to reveal the experiences of children whose fathers work abroad. The study, conducted with a phenomenological design, involved 13 female and 3 male students with an age range between 10-13. Data were collected using semi-structured interview and findings were analyzed using content analysis. Themes were identified as follows: (a) changes in the family system, encompassing alterations in the roles of the mother, father, and extended family members; (b) negative conditions resulting from changes in the family system for the child, including neglect and parentification; (c) emotional and psychological experiences, such as grief and loss, concerns about the father's health and safety, envying friends, and feelings of alienation; and (d) strategies and resources for coping with the process, including positive coping, negative coping, social support, and the quality and continuity of the relationship with the father. The findings highlight that the father's migration for work can pose significant risks for the child, but emphasize that the quality of the relationship established with the father and other family members, as well as the ongoing relationship maintained through remote parenting, can be protective for the child. Suggestions are presented to prevent or reduce the negative consequences that these children encounter. Keywords: Migration, Parental migration, Neglect, Parentification