MIGRATION AND FAMILY VALUES: A PHILOSOPHICA APPRAISAL
Abstract
This paper examines critically the meaning, root causes and effects of migration on family values. The findings reveal that people migrate voluntary or involuntary to other countries either to overcome poverty, to escape war, for family reunification, to get better education, good healthcare and better standard of living. This paper examines different areas in which migration can impact positively and negatively on family values. This paper defines Family values as simply, traditional or cultural values that pertain to the family’s structure, beliefs and attitudes. These values enumerated are universal principles which help people to live in harmony with one another not only in families, but in communities, nations, and in the world. This paper attributes the abuse and neglect of these core values: respect, love, honor, forgiveness and sharing to out-migration. The questions that propel this paper are; why do people migrate? Why do most people who migrate to developed countries normally neglect their values and embrace the culture of the receiving countries? What went wrong and how can these values be recovered? Employing the method of philosophical analysis, this paper argues that although migration serves as a catalyst for improved economic opportunities and financial stability for families, it also has strongest negative effects on family values. Migration disrupts family life, challenges traditional notions of relationships, leads to adaptation of a new culture which have caused more harm in the affected societies. This paper submits that the solution to curb the negative effects of migration on family values is to ensure that families and societies create practical ways to orientate and educate the youths.