When the Matriarchal Leaves: The Impact of Female Migration on the Children Lift behind in Ben Amir Fqih Ben Saleh

With nearly 5.6 million Moroccans living abroad, international migration has become an integral part of Moroccan culture. While the economic and social effects of migration have been widely studied, less attention has been paid to its social consequences, particularly those related to gender, transnational families, emotional practices, and motherhood across borders.

In recent decades, Morocco has seen a significant rise in demographic growth and unemployment, which has been accompanied by an increase in the number of women migrating abroad in search of better economic opportunities. These women often leave their families behind, including their children.

This paper examines the impact of female migration on the children left behind in the Beni Amir-Fkih Ben Sallah region of Morocco by their mothers. Specifically, through a qualitative analysis of twenty semi-structured interviews, the study explores how such migration challenges or reinforces traditional gender relations and family dynamics.

Contrary to the common assumption that marginalized women gain greater independence and decision-making power when they migrate, the findings suggest otherwise. Due to the influence of in-laws and the use of technology, migrant women continue to maintain their social and psychological roles within their families, even from a distance. As a result, they reinforce, rather than challenge, traditional matriarchal gender roles from afar.