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Aside from the ageing of the community as evidenced by the
relatively high median age
(30
years+), and the male-female ratio (833 male to 1000 female),
emigration also affects
the
pool of human resources in the society, as well as the quality of
services rendered to
the
general population. As more qualified and potentially qualified
member leave, the
society suffers, as a significant part of its human capital is
transferred to other churches in
the
community and in society as a whole. At a time when political,
economic and social
transformations are taking place in society, there is need for each
and every Palestinian to
stay on his/her land. The choice is not easy and places a heavy
burden on those who are
discouraged, and who choose to leave the country. Leaving one’s own
country is not an
easy undertaking, since it involves a real uprooting. The factors
which push people
undertake in nevertheless point clearly to the political and
economic instability in the land.
For
many emigrants and potential emigrants staying put under difficult
conditions is
equivalent to forgoing better prospects for their
children.
Christian emigration robs the churches of their vitality, and
restricts their communal and
social activities, which could respond to the needs of the
individual and the family, at a time
of
great personal and communal adoption maintain contact with members
of their
immediate families in their country of origin but, apart from an
occasional visit, most
probably they will not be involved in the life of their original
community. While one wishes
the
Palestinian communities of the Daspora well, it is the separation
which denies the
country of origin of their talents, skills and dedication. Their
leaving makes it more difficult
still for those who have opted to stay in their
country.
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