Children and Migration

Millions of children around the world are affected by migration. This includes girls and boys who migrate within and between countries (usually with their families but sometimes on their own), as well as children ‘left behind’ when their parents or caregivers migrate in search of economic opportunities. Be it forced or voluntary, by adults or children, migration affects children’s care situations and can entail risks to their protection.

Children on the move: Like adults, children often migrate in an attempt to build a better life – to escape poverty, discrimination or conflict, and to find education, employment and other opportunities. Others relocate due to an unstable or difficult family environment, such as the loss of a parent, or neglect or abuse from a caregiver. Children may migrate with or without their families, and their movements may be temporary, seasonal or permanent.

While migration can open up new opportunities for children, it can also expose them to harmful care situations, chronic poverty, violence and exploitation. During transit and at their destination, migrant children may end up in unsafe institutions, detention centres, on the streets or in overcrowded, poor-quality accommodation. Others who migrate to join households (e.g. for fostering, education, domestic work or apprenticeships) may be subjected to exploitation. Many migrant children, particularly those without documentation, end up without access to education, protection or basic services, while discrimination and language barriers make it difficult for them to reintegrate into new communities.

Children left behind. An increasing number of children around the world are also adversely affected when migrating parents leave home to seek out employment or economic opportunities (often in urban centres). While children may gain materially from remittances sent home, the absence of a parent may be detrimental to their social and psychological development. In particular, the nature and quality of children’s care relationships may suffer as they adjust to life without a loved caregiver and try to replace a physically and emotionally nurturing relationship with someone new.

Studies from around the world indicate that children left behind by migrating caretakers face education, health and psychosocial problems, including deteriorating academic performance and lower school attendance, greater risk of drug abuse, early pregnancy, involvement in criminal activities and social dysfunction. Left behind children may suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of abandonment, and in the worst cases may be vulnerable to violence, abuse and trafficking. While new or remaining caretakers can offer children a protective and caring environment they may also struggle to care for them without support, and breakdown of these relationships can sometimes result in children’s placement in harmful institutional care.

The documents in this section focus on the impact of migration on children’s care situations, and outline policy, advocacy and programmatic measures to enhance child migrants’ protection.

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Children Displaced in a Changing Climate: Preparing for a future that’s already underway

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

‘Children displaced in a changing climate: Preparing for a future already underway’ analyses the most common weather-related hazards that lead to the largest number of displacements: floods, storms, droughts and wildfires.

Enfants Déplacés par les Changements Climatiques: Se préparer à un avenir déjà en marche

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

Ainsi, le présent rapport analyse les aléas météorologiques les plus courants à l’origine de la majeure partie des déplacements, à savoir les inondations, les tempêtes, les sécheresses et les feux incontrôlés.

Niños y Niñas Desplazados Por el Cambio Climático Prepararse Para un Futuro Que ya Está Aquí

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2023

El informe analiza los peligros meteorológicos más comunes que provocan el mayor número de desplazamientos: inundaciones, tormentas, sequías e incendios forestales.

Training of Trainers | Unaccompanied and Separated Children

The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, 30 Sep 2023

The Unaccompanied and Separated Children Training of Trainers (UASC TOT) course is designed to prepare participants to facilitate training on unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). This training reinforces participants’ understanding of the specific needs of UASC, highlight good practice in working with unaccompanied and separated children under a protection framework, and provide participants the opportunity to apply learning so they can roll out training on UASC within their own organisation and to other stakeholders.

Becoming Adult on the Move: Migration Journeys, Encounters and Life Transitions

Elaine Chase, Nando Sigona, Dawn Chatty, 14 Aug 2023

This edited collection situates the migration of children and young people into Europe within a global framework of analysis and provides a holistic perspective that encompasses cultural media, ethnographic research and policy analysis. Drawing on a unique study of young unaccompanied migrants who subsequently became ‘adult’ within the UK and Italy, it examines their different trajectories and how they were impacted by their ability to secure legal status.

“Those Bridges That Help You Get There”: How Natural Mentors Improve Social Support and Social Capital of Unaccompanied Immigrant Youths Leaving Residential Care

Xavier Alarcón, Barbara Mirković, 07 Aug 2023

This qualitative study explores the prevalence and role of natural mentors in the lives of unaccompanied immigrant youth residing in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. The authors' findings suggest that natural mentors provide various types of social support and social capital, which fulfil the emotional or educational needs of young people.

Residential Treatment For Children & Youth

The Unique Role of Peer Support: Exploring the Effects of Various Sources of Social Support on the Mental Health of Unaccompanied Children in China under Residential Education

Lizhang Dong, Yanan Peng, Ran Zhang, Kang Ju, Juzhe Xi, 01 Aug 2023

This study investigates the impact of various sources of social support on the mental health of unaccompanied children under residential education in China. Unaccompanied children refer to those whose parents are still alive but unable to raise them due to various reasons.

Migration Control Policy and Parent – Child Separation Among Migrant Families: Evidence from China

Yuanyuan Chen, Wei Fu, 29 Jul 2023

This paper investigates the effects of a migration control policy in mega cities after 2014 in China on parent–child separation.

No Safe Place: Violence Among Unaccompanied Refugee Children Seeking Asylum in Kenya

Rosalind Raddatz, Matthew Kerby, 23 Jul 2023

This paper explores the rarely examined experiences of unaccompanied refugee minors in Nairobi, Kenya.

Evicted by Climate Change: Confronting the gendered impacts of climate-induced displacement

CARE, 07 Jul 2023

This report outlines the causes and consequences of climate-induced displacement, and how the triple injustice of climate change, poverty and gender inequality must be met by transformative action: to support more gender-equal and resilient communities in sustainable environments.