The Image of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as Reflected in Philippine Children’s Literature : A Contextual Analysis

Abstract

Every year millions of Filipinos opt to work abroad mainly for economic reasons. According to the Commission on Overseas Filipinos, approximately 10.5 million Filipinos worked or resided abroad in 2012. Stories about Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are often in the news, which are sometimes good, but most of the time bad. Many Filipinos are employed as educators, seafarers, medical professionals, production and technical staff, etc all over the world. Additionally, many domestic workers are sought after because Filipinos are known for caregiving and patience. The rising flow of OFWs is unavoidable because Filipinos need to survive, even if this would mean separation from their families (Quinto, ADB, 2004). This paper aims to explore how the image of OFWs is depicted in Philippine children’s literature. How many children’s story books contain images or stories of an OFW? Were they properly and accurately depicted and documented? The authors will examine ten (10) children’s story books published within the last five years and analyse the plight of OFW’s in Philippine children’s literature anchored on the theory that Literature mirrors life.

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Author Information
Ann Grace B. Bansig, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Philippines
Darrel Manuel O. Marco, Xavier School, Philippines

• Category: Literature - Children’s and Young Adult Literature

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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