Theoretical framework

Work- Migration

Work migration is a global phenomenon mainly motivated by the huge gap in wages and social conditions between developed and underdeveloped countries. People immigrate to developed countries in search of making a better living (Kemp & Reichmann, 2003).

Mass migration as a modern phenomenon began towards the end of the nineteenth century and continued throughout the twentieth century. The last decades of that century saw the migration of around 140 million work migrants and this trend continues and grows. Special characteristics led some scholars to refer to it as transnational migration (Transnational Theory, Preis, 1999).

This theory sees migration as containing a number of indexes: demographic, political, economic, cultural and familial in addition to transferring from one country to another. According to this approach the migrants preserve their connections between their country of origin and their new country (Host Country). On the other hand, this approach does not disregard the macro aspect of political, economic, familial and other structures within which migrant communities conduct their lives. 

Future Orientation

Lewin (1951) defined future orientation as a cognitive scheme, containing an individual’s total sum of conceptions in regards to their future at any given moment. These conceptions will form the individual’s decisions and plans concerning the future. This future orientation actually expresses both the way they perceive their future and their attitude towards it. The time slot for reaching this destination, their expectations, preparations for it and the way they generally feel towards it (Shell & Husman, 2001; Seginer, 1988; Seginer, Vermulst & Shoyer, 2004).

Bandura (1995) describes the connection between the perception of Self-efficacy and expectations of results constituting future orientation. According to him, Self-efficacy is a person’s belief in his or her ability to control the behaviors and events affecting their lives and to successfully cope with challenges.

Adolescents and youths present a twofold image of their future lives

a - primary and middle school education, military service, higher education, work and career, marriage and family;

b – Existential domains: self, others, general society and the world as a whole. 

Hypothesis

What is the future orientation of life and existence 11 -18 year old migrant children have in the host country?

Study context

The parents of migrant children are obliged to work long hours and thus are not available to them and cannot respond to their needs.  Consequently the non-formal education system has devised additional support systems - youth centers and youth movements. At the end of the school day they arrive at the above locations. There young volunteers of pre military age give them long term intensive accompaniment and support by way of personal contact, group activities and various social and cultural functions. They are also provided there with full daily meals, scholastic and personal promoting and encouragement. These are intended to give them a secure basis and to reinforce their sense of self- worth and capability so they can face present and future challenges.

Subjects

150 children aged 11-18 of work migrants living in the large cities in intercultural and multilingual communities of Israelis, Chinese, African, Philippines and others participated in the study.  

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