Negotiation of Relations Between Parent-Child Bonds Following Reunification

This study presents a scoping literature review focused on understanding the negotiation of relationships between parent-child bonds following reunification. The Philippines has been established as one of the leading exporters of human labour, globally, trailing China and India. Filipino women play a significant role in international migration, particularly, domestic labour, as they seek better economic opportunities overseas. However, this pursuit of economic advancement is often part of a sacrifice – leaving their children behind for an extended period. Through the review of existing Canadian literature, this study aims to provide an extensive understanding of familial relations between mother and child following reunification. The review discusses common factors that lead to the breakdown of the relationship prior to reunification. Moreover, it investigates the experiences of youth following reunification, and the relational dynamic of mother and child bonds. The primary objectives of this scoping review are twofold: first, to describe the common factors that contributed to the relational breakdown prior to reunification, and factors that lead to the continual breakdown of the relationship following reunification; and second, to extensively evaluate the existing studies that have explored the experiences of Filipino youth following reunification. By bridging the existing gaps in literature, this scoping review offers valuable insights on the parent-child bond before and after reunification. Keywords: Filipino migration, parent-child relationship, extended separation, reunification, emotional distance, children “left behind”