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Analyzing the Effect of Remittance Transfer on Socioeconomic Well-Being of Left-Behind Parents: a Study of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

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Abstract

International migration is a sociopolitical and economic prodigy. Pakistan, being the 10th in ranking in the world and 2nd in South Asia, is among the largest recipient of remittances. However, a significant research gaps exist between the remittances and its social impacts. This study has tried to analyze the impact of remittances sent by adult male children on the well-being of left-behind parents. Well-being of left-behind parents was operationalized through two indicators as financial security and health-care facilities. For this purpose, quantitative research design was employed, and a survey was conducted in three cities, i.e., Gujrat, Jhelum, and Mirpur. The data was collected from 94 respondents chosen purposively on the basis of certain characteristics including demographic profile of the respondents and their male children who must be living abroad. The findings of the study revealed that parents were getting money from their sons regularly. Parents were getting financial assistance from their children for managing their household expenditures and visiting good hospitals and specialist doctors in case of illness. Lastly, the study concluded that the economic aspect of migration of male children has a significant impact on the health status of left-behind parents with the value of correlation (r) = 0.241 and level of significance as 0.019. The research study also gives some suggestions and provides future directions for research.

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Ariadi, S., Saud, M. & Ashfaq, A. Analyzing the Effect of Remittance Transfer on Socioeconomic Well-Being of Left-Behind Parents: a Study of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Int. Migration & Integration 20, 809–821 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-018-0632-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-018-0632-7

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