This article from the Thomas Reuters Foundation explores the developing phenomenon of “new-age orphans” in certain regions of India, whose parents are migrating in search of work due to changing climate conditions, leaving children behind with elderly grandparents or in school hostels. “Most migrants hope to one day to bring their children with them,” says the article. “But poor accommodation near new jobs, language barriers and a lack of childcare mean few children can make the move right away.”
The left-behind children are being termed “new-age orphans” and local doctors and aid workers say they are seeing a rise in childhood depression, malnutrition and vulnerability to child trafficking amongst these left-behind children.