Background Despite the growing literature on left behind parents, gender impact on left behind parents remains limited. This study addresses the research gap by understanding the impact, challenges, and coping mechanisms of left behind parents different from each other.
Method This study is based on the qualitative approach based on 7 personal interviews consisting of 2 father and 5 mother direct from the left behind parents in Uttar Pradesh, the largest population state in India. Thematic analysis was used on NVivo. Findings The findings underscore how the mother and father have experienced distinct impacts, challenges, and methods for coping. While mothers have more significant social interaction, fathers gain respect from the community. Despite these benefits, both parents face emotional distress from their children's migration. Conclusion The study explores the gap in the current literature on gender-based impact on left behind parents. The parents are emotionally void, but their social and economic perceptions are different from each other. Future studies might consider quantitative methods and the long-term emotional impact of migration on left behind elderly parents. This research suggests developing policies that cater to the particular needs of elderly parents based on their gender rather than viewing them as homogeneous.
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