The Effect of Rural-Urban Migration on Family Structure in Enugu State

Rural-urban migration has significantly altered family composition and household dynamics across Nigeria's South East geopolitical zone. This study examines how migration patterns affect family structure in selected rural communities of Enugu State, focusing on household headship, intergenerational relationships, and spousal role redistribution. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with structured questionnaires administered to 320 households across Igbo-Eze North, Udi, and Oji River local government areas. Data were complemented by ten in-depth interviews with community leaders and returned migrants. Findings reveal that 64% of surveyed households had at least one member residing in an urban center, with Enugu city and Lagos being the primary destinations. The departure of productive-age adults has increased female household headship by 38% in affected communities and weakened traditional extended family structures that historically provided social security for the elderly. Children in migration-affected households demonstrated lower school attendance rates compared to non-affected peers, largely due to reduced parental supervision and economic pressure to contribute to household income. Remittances, while providing financial relief, were insufficient to offset the social costs of family separation in the majority of cases. The study recommends community-based social support programs targeting women-headed households and advocates for state-level policies that incentivize rural economic development to reduce the push factors driving outmigration from Enugu communities. Keywords: rural-urban migration, family structure, Enugu State, household dynamics, remittances.