COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCES OF DISTANT PARENTED ADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH THEIR MIGRANT PARENTS IN CHIREDZI SOUTH CONSTITUENCY OF ZIMBABWE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Authors: Dr. Davison Makondo (Ph.D)& Dr Paula Varaidzai Makondo

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to explore the communication experiences of distant parented adolescent girls in Chiredzi South Constituency of Zimbabwe; focusing on the challenges and opportunities. Qualitative methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation were used. The study employed a purposive sampling approach to select the twenty-five (25) distant parented adolescent girls who participated in both the focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews from five secondary schools. Data were collected and recorded verbatim.  A thematic analysis was used to present and analyze the data. Some of the findings were that communication with their migrant parents is erratic, they are being mobile phone parented and communication is limited in the presence of guardians or caregivers. Based on the findings, the study recommends that migrant parents should maintain constant and consistent communication with their adolescent girls whom they have left behind.

Keywords: Parenting, Distant Parenting, Diaspora orphans, Migration, Parental migration, The Left behind Children, Distant Parented Adolescent Girls

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