The PALM scheme is causing significant changes to family care structures due to the absence of parental figures at home. Talei Cama, a child protection specialist with UNICEF, noted that workers involved in the scheme often leave their homes for long periods, resulting in shifts in responsibilities that may lead to generational trauma.
Cama explained that mothers left behind by spouses who have gone abroad to work under the PALM scheme are experiencing an increased burden. She observed a notable shift in gender roles, with mothers not only fulfilling their traditional caregiving roles but also taking on additional tasks such as managing households, working on farms, and performing duties typically associated with their partners.
Moreover, older siblings are stepping up to care for younger children, as mothers are the only parental figures present at home. This situation forces these older children to assume responsibilities that push them into adult roles prematurely.
Grandparents also face challenges, as they often take on caregiving responsibilities for the children. Cama pointed out that the overall impact of the PALM scheme illustrates a complex interplay of heightened responsibilities and the emotional strain on families adjusting to these changes.