Abstract

The article analyzes the problems of the labor migration of the ukrainian population, in particular it is paid attention to the families of migrant workers; the key changes of the family­role relations, which are the results of the long­term migration, are outlines here. Special attention is focused on the negative effects of such changes for the social institution of the family. Also the author gives and analyzes the statistics of the number of migrant workers, the indicators of migration processes for the last decade and the results of empirical researches conducted by scientists from different branches of social knowledge on this issue. The main directions of a more detailed study of the transformation of family­role relations in the families of migrant workers in Ukraine are defined in the article. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the family­role relations between the spouses, between grandparents (grandmothers and / or grandfathers) and parents, and between grandparents (grandmothers and / or grandfathers) and grandchildren. It is noted, that in the case of the long­term absence of parents, who are involved in migration, their role in the family is realized by other members, usually grandparents (grandmother and / or grandfather) play their role. The author examines the significance of the role of grandparents as one of the main subjects of the grandchildren’ socialization while their parents are absent. The author considers the significance of the role of grandparents as one of the important subject of the grandchildren’ socialization while their parents are absent. The author highlights the particular features of the transformation of the family­role relations, which are the results of the long­term migration, and the problems connected with the saving of the family integrity.