Some indications of what could be long-term consequences are suggested by a qualitative
study of six adult sons of OFWs. Growing up without their parents, they learned to be
independent. All of them finished college, thanks to the steady remittances and provisions
sent by their parents. Although they turned out all right, they expressed sadness and a
sense of loss over what they missed out as a family (Alamon, 2008). This sense of loss is
also shared by migrant parents, who are well aware that time lost and away from their
families cannot be recovered (ECMI/AOS-Manila, et al., 2004; Asis, 2001).