title: Those easily forgotten: the impact of emigration on those left behind.
abstract: Much has been written about the experiences and stresses of those who emigrate. By contrast, little attention has been paid to the experiences of those who stay behind-family members and friends who for various reasons do not to join their loved ones in the destination country. In this article, I describe the experiences of some South Africans whose families and friends have emigrated. This study forms part of a larger research project focusing on the impact of emigration on South African family life. Twenty-one participants were interviewed by means of a semistructured interview at least 6 months after one or more family member(s) and/or friend(s) left South Africa, to explore participants' experiences around their loved ones' emigration. A thematic analysis of the data reveals that those left behind experience various emotions, ranging from emotional ambivalence to anger and distress. Emigration is mostly experienced as a vast loss, almost akin to a "death," bringing about significant changes in social networks and relationships. The therapeutic significance of the findings for those working with emigrant families is also explored.
authors.affiliation: School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. maria.marchetti-mercer@wits.ac.za
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marchetti-Mercer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005195:Family Relations; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D013019:South Africa; D049269:Videoconferencing; D055815:Young Adult