"A license to leave South Africa” : a qualitative study of South African parents’ narratives of their children’s reasons for emigration
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Date
Authors
Ferreira, Sulette
Carbonatto, Charlene Laurence
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Stellenbosch, Department of Social Work
Abstract
The number of South Africans citizens emigrating abroad has increased dramatically, resulting in a multitude of parents remaining behind. This qualitative phenomenological study explored and described the reasons for the emigration of adult children of predominantly white South African parents. Multiple motivating factors validated the emigration, namely the South African political climate, violent crime, lack of employment opportunities and high skill mobility. In an attempt to justify the emigration, parents subsequently provided their children with a “license to leave”. Each parent was affected uniquely in this complex psychosocial journey. Social workers can assist in the reconstruction of meaning by guiding the parent through this life-altering decision.
Description
Keywords
Emigration, License to leave, South Africa (SA), Parents left behind, Reasons for emigration, Adult child, Social work
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Ferreira, S. & Carbonatto, C.L. 2020. “A license to leave South Africa” : a qualitative study of South African parents’ narratives of their children’s reasons for emigration. Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk, 56(3) : 310-327. 7198). DOI: 10.15270/52-2-860.