Saudis have been Abandoning their Kids Abroad, Now the Children want Answers | Foreign Correspondent

ABC News In-depth18 minutes read

Saudi Arabian men father children with foreign women while studying abroad, prompting abandoned children like Jared Morrison and Mandray Chang to search for their fathers, facing challenges due to Saudi Arabia's strict laws and cultural norms. Despite facing rejection and hurdles, Jared remains determined to find his father, traveling to Saudi Arabia and connecting with family members to understand his cultural heritage and navigate complex family dynamics.

Insights

  • Saudi Arabian men studying abroad often have relationships with foreign women, leading to abandoned children seeking their fathers, as highlighted by filmmaker Brietta Haig and journalist Assam Al-Halib's investigation.
  • Jared Morrison's emotional journey to find his Saudi father showcases the complexities of cultural heritage, family dynamics, and the impact of strict laws in Saudi Arabia, revealing both the determination to connect with his roots and the challenges posed by societal norms and family honor.

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Recent questions

  • How do Saudi Arabian men impact foreign women abroad?

    They leave behind children, sparking searches for fathers.

  • How do organizations like AWASA assist abandoned Saudi children?

    They claim to help, but their reliability is uncertain.

  • How does Jared Morrison's search for his father unfold?

    Spanning years, culminating in a phone call rejection.

  • How do Saudi Arabia's strict laws affect abandoned children?

    Resulting in challenges due to restrictions on marriage.

  • How does Jared Morrison's visit to Saudi Arabia unfold?

    Seeking answers and understanding his father's decisions.

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Summary

00:00

Abandoned Saudi Children Seek Fathers Abroad

  • Saudi Arabian men have relationships with foreign women while studying abroad, leaving behind children who are now searching for their fathers.
  • Brietta Haig, an Australian filmmaker, collaborates with Saudi journalist Assam Al-Halib to investigate abandoned Saudi children abroad.
  • Jared Morrison, an American, seeks his Saudi father who left when he was born, leading to a profound impact on his life.
  • Jared's search for his father spans years, culminating in a phone call where his father denies any desire to know him.
  • Despite the rejection, Jared remains determined to find his father and explore his cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia.
  • Mandray Chang, a Guatemalan, faces a similar situation with her son Sammy, abandoned by his Saudi father, Solomon.
  • Mandray connects with Jennifer Crystal, an American with a blog for people searching for Saudi fathers, leading to a network of support.
  • Saudi Arabia's strict laws make it challenging for students to marry foreigners, resulting in many abandoned children.
  • Organizations like AWASA claim to help abandoned Saudi children, but their assistance is not always reliable.
  • Jared travels to Saudi Arabia to meet his father, seeking answers and understanding his father's decisions from a cultural perspective.

21:16

"Jared meets cousin, faces family conflicts"

  • Jared, after tracking down a first cousin through social media, is excited to meet him, unsure of what to expect but reassured by his cousin's acceptance of him despite potential family scandal.
  • Meeting his cousin was an emotional experience, with his cousin remarking on Jared's resemblance to their family and expressing internal family conflicts about Jared's quest to find his father.
  • Despite the younger generation's more open-mindedness, Jared senses that conservative Islamic rules and family honor still hinder full acceptance, leaving him hopeful yet somewhat frustrated about future family connections.
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