Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong and Their Role in Childcare Provision

Associations of Warmth and Control of Filipina Domestic Helpers and Mothers to Hong Kong Kindergarten Children's Social Competence

“…Some working mothers (and fathers) in Hong Kong and elsewhere therefore prefer housemaids over institutionalized child care centers when other family members or relatives cannot take up the roles of looking after their children (Tam, 1999;Yeoh & Huang, 1999). These helpers typically live together with the families employing them and share many of the childrearing duties that were originally the sole domain of mothers.…”

“…Examples include preparing meals and taking children to and from school (Asian Migrant Centre, 1994;Tam, 1999). Most often, these helpers are expected to act as substitute mothers (Tam, 1999). They need to be sensitive to children's needs (Tam, 1999) as well as teach and discipline the children (Hong Kong Christian Service, 2002).…”

“…These helpers typically live together with the families employing them and share many of the childrearing duties that were originally the sole domain of mothers. Examples include preparing meals and taking children to and from school (Asian Migrant Centre, 1994;Tam, 1999). Most often, these helpers are expected to act as substitute mothers (Tam, 1999).…”

Chapter 3 Gendered Work and Migration Regimes

“…One of the strictest schemes of this kind was operated in Hong Kong, which had over 160,000 foreign domestic workers in 1996 (Tam 1999). Here, migrant domestic workers are recruited on two year contracts that stipulate job rules, task timetables and appearance.…”

International migration and social theory

“…Indeed, foreign domestic helpers now make up approximately 3 per cent of Hong Kong's population, and almost half of these are from the Philippines (figures from Hong Kong statistics department, 2011). (4) They have 'become part of the social landscape' (Tam 1999). Filipina (and more recently Indonesian and other nationality) migration is a very visible phenomenon in Hong Kong, especially evidenced in photographs for academic works on the topic (see Constable 2007, andLindio-McGovern 2004).…”