Perceived Factors Influencing Younger Adults’ Rural‑Urban Migration and its Implications on Left Behind Older Parents in Nsukka LGA
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Date
2021
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Springer Nature
Abstract
As the number of young adults moving to urban areas increases, so does the number
of older parents who are left behind in rural areas, where they face loneliness, isolation,
hunger, and a lack of social support and care. The lack of remittances and alternative
arrangements for caring for the migrant children’s elderly parents, as well as
the lack of social support networks, makes it difficult for them to cope on their own.
The purpose of this study is to ascertain how the migration of younger adults affects
the well-being of the left-behind older parents in Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, and
to recommend ways to improve their living conditions. Twenty-four elderly parents
were purposively chosen for the study. An in-depth interview method was employed
for data collection. Using themes and quotes, the generated data were transcribed
and analyzed. According to the study, young adults migrate to cities due to poverty,
lack of employment and business opportunities, poor hospitals and schools, and lack
of social amenities in rural areas. The study also discovered that elderly parents who
are left behind in rural areas face hardship and neglect. As a result, to discourage
unnecessary migration, we advocated for massive and aggressive rural infrastructure
development. Furthermore, social workers should be involved in advocating for
elderly social support systems.
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Keywords
Factors, Implications, Older adults, Rural-urban migration, Social workers, Younger adults