The search for significance: meaning making in elderly South Africans following the emigration of their adult children

Abstract

Globalization and the mobility of people across domestic and international boundaries have become part of the rhythm and tempo of the modern world, and increasingly the elderly remaining behind comprise a sizable and integral part of contemporary society. Their successful adaptation has become an important consideration not only for them, but for their families and society. This article explores the coping strategies used in finding coherence when confronting this disruptive life event. As part of a larger study exploring the impact of South African emigration on the elderly, we interviewed 25 elderly parents of skilled emigrants. Using thematic analysis, we show how these parents coped with ambiguous loss of emigration, making use of technology and alternative configurations of identity and care to conceptualize their lives and current contexts. More research is needed to understand migration and aging, an issue likely to become more prominent.