Children of Global Migration

Children of Global Migration

By Ben Woodruff

     The Philippine Islands was the jumping off point for the book, Children of Global Migration, and the article, “Transnational (Counter) Topographies”. The economy of the Philippines is such that in order to have sufficient income to maintain their lifestyles, many people must go abroad to earn money to send home to their families. This leads to a disruption to the life of the both the migrants and the families left behind. 

     I remember the Filipino men that I served with in the United States Navy. They joined the Navy and took primarily to the career fields of Mess Specialist, Ship’s Servicemen, and Supplyman. This may be best translated as cook, barber/laundry attendant, and storekeeper. This meant that they were taking on roles that are most often associated with women and so their status was often that of women. 

     I had not considered what impact this would have on the women back home, or what this would mean for the sense of masculinity for those individuals. It is very obvious that the colonial history of the Philippines is ongoing and the use of the Philippines by the US Military, even after granting independence, has maintained that colony status. 

     I heard of the stories of children left behind from those children after they had grown and left on their own.They had grown without fathers and so when they reached adulthood did not know how to respond other than by leaving their families and earning money to send home.