The issue of ,,European orphanhood” in the opinion of experts helping families of economic migrants. Social work and psychological support in the experiences of migration separation

Abstract

Migration has become a fixed point in the way the lives of families experiencing separation are organized. In the study I used interviews with experts – representatives of assisstance professions who also dealt with migrant families. Through my detailed research, I tried to present history of life of people whose daily life is determined by separation and the ”European orphan” stigma. The aim of the study was to break the „European orphan” stereotype and to look at the matter without judgement, and to show the perspective of those who are often talked about but rarely heard. Special media coverage informing about „European orphanhood” are fulfilled with stereotypes, generalisations and exaggerations which simply stigmatize and create negative image of children and teenagers growing up in migrant families. In the analysis „European orphanhood” is treated as a lack of a parent / parents due to economic migration after Poland joined the European Union.