Migrant Youth

Migrant youth

Fr. Emeterio E Barcelon

Manila Bulletin
January 13, 2006

MOST of this article is a take off from the paper of Dr. Tina Liamson on Filipino Youth in Rome Today at the Philippine Migration Research Network. She asks how "the issues and problems confronting the migrant youth currently can be better understood, analyzed, and ways can be found to more systematically and strategically respond to the problems and needs by the various stakeholders."

Her study is on the youth (12-30 years) and she categorizes them into four groups: A. those born in Italy or raised as young children in Italy of Filipino parents; B. Filipino youth brought to Italy prior to turning 18 years old; C. those who come primarily for employment; D. those with mixed Filipino and other nationality parentage. It is with B and C that she is most concerned. Those in A and D grow in the new environment and their problem is basically on the being Filipino identity. Those of the B group are often separated from their parents for a long period before being brought to Italy and these have problems readjusting to their parents and the new environment. There is a clash between the more conservative Philippine culture and the more liberal Italian culture. There has also been little preparation for the change and also they are often faced with language problems. The C group are often serious about earning an income but again faced with language problems and over-qualification for the jobs open to them. They, therefore, have feelings of low self-esteem which prevent them from seeking ways to improve their livelihood opportunities. Both B and C group members could be helped with more organizations and centers in which to congregate. While there are some, mostly church-related, they could use more to give them opportunities for leadership and association according to Dr. Liamson.

The Filipino communities in Italy are young and could learn from older migrations like those in the US Migration is here to stay and more studies have to be done to assist the migrants as best as possible. A serious problem is of lack of unity. Elections are very disruptive. The loser in an election for the mythical Association of Filipinos of Siargao will establish the North Siargao Assn. and the loser in the next North Siargao election is bound to establish the Northeast Siargao Assn. In contrast to groups like the Jewish people who have suffered persecution as a group, Filipinos have not been subjected to persecution as a group. Rather host groups to where they migrate have complimentary comments on Filipinos. Not having a common enemy prevents the Filipino groups from bonding together for survival. They, therefore, tend not to unify. Added to this having no common enemy, there is the problem of rogue Filipinos who take the stance that since they are in a foreign land they can do as they please without the sanctions they were used to by the community here. This is part of the reason why some Filipinos avoid other Filipinos in other countries. But this negative is more than counter-balanced by Filipino hospitality. There is hardly any homelessness among Filipinos in foreign countries. Many migrants (and this is a category) are now learning to send their savings to local rural banks and to invest in their home towns rather than just send money for consumption. Filipino migrants are generally helpful and Filipino communities are learning to work together and sacrifice for the group. Filipino migration is a permanent feature of Filipinos. The Lord bless them but they can also improve their blessings by helping where they can. emeterio_barcelon@yahoo.com