"Doing family" from the standpoint of single Filipina migrant mothers

Abstract

I aim to center the standpoint of single Filipina mothers engaged in migrant domestic work, a demographic largely decentered in the literature on family and migration. Specifically, I examine how they "do family" from a distance using feminist standpoint theory and culturally sensitive Filipino indigenous methodologies: pakikilahok (close participation) and pakikipagkwentuhan (exchange of stories). My findings reveal that while the experiences of my interlocutors echo general themes in transnational motherhood, they also face unique challenges: juggling the dual roles of financial and care provider, a heightened imperative to work overseas coupled with the pressure of sole responsibility for their children, additional logistical hurdles in coordinating care overseas through female relatives, and navigating their employment context without the emotional and financial support of a partner. I also find that engaging in paid care work in Singapore and performing mediated and unpaid care work in the Philippines do not necessarily operate under a zero-sum dynamic, as these roles are interconnected and can coexist. Finally, in this study, I do not only document single Filipina migrant mothers' struggles and strategies in "doing family"; I also attempt to contribute to highlighting their voices and aiding in the pursuit of epistemic justice.