Discipline and parental authority are prominent sources of conflict (Dreby 2010, Schmalzbauer 2005a). The nature of such conflicts varies by age; younger children in the community of origin often disregard the authority of their migrant parents and cede control to day-to-day caregivers, whereas older children make appeals to migrant parents when they feel the caregivers are too restrictive (Dreby 2007). Conflicts over discipline are also likely to be affected by children's gender. Daughters' activities—especially dating habits—are often more closely monitored by their parents and caregivers than are sons' (Moran-Taylor 2008). Children may resent attempts by parents to monitor their activities and exert authority from afar.
Dependence on remittances sent by U.S. migrants often adds to the difficulties related to discipline. Migrants closely monitor the use of the money they send, and conflicts can arise when parents believe that it is not being spent on their children or when caregivers protest that remittances are insufficient (Dreby 2010, Moran-Taylor 2008, Olwig 1999). Children may gain some degree of social status in the family due to their caregivers' dependency on remittances (Olwig 1999). They sometimes challenge caregivers' authority by complaining to migrant parents that remittances are being used improperly.