The psychology of expatriation: Lessons to be learnt from the Gulf experience
MENA Dubai 2003 Abstract
Author George J. Kaliaden
Copy Large-scale migration of foreign labor to the Gulf countries started in the early 1970s. Many of those who originally migrated (on a temporary work contract) from different countries have already completed thirty years of service here. The second generations of expatriate workers have begun to take up employment or take over business enterprises in this region.

While understanding the good will and hospitality enjoyed by the expatriates in these countries, it will be interesting to analyze the psychological implications of what is referred to here as "expatriation". What is the psycho-social impact of "distant" couples spending entire period of married life in separation and still function as a single family unit. What are the psychological implications of children who are left with the grand parents or other caregivers in the home country right from the time of their birth while both parents continue to work in the Gulf?

What are the implications of the cultural void experienced by children who grow up here with little exposure to community and cultural roots? What patterns of inter-generational conflict are noticeable here as one deals with teenagers and the youth? What are the psychological implications of retirement and eventual return to the "strangeness" of one's home country, in the case of individuals and families after decades of living and working here?

There is a great deal that social scientists can learn from the Gulf experience. Scientific knowledge thus acquired can help planners and policy makers in formulating future policies and programs for populations here as well as for people who are likely to undergo similar "expatriation" experience elsewhere in the context of the present, "globalized" economy.