Towards a model of resilience for transnational families of Filipina domestic workers

Abstract

Many Filipinos experience poverty and poor employment opportunities. In order to alleviate poverty and provide sufficient resources for their families, numerous mothers leave the Philippines to become domestic workers. The present study aimed to build a model of family resilience for transnational families. A total of 33 participants consisting of Filipino transnational families, domestic workers, and key informants participated in a series of focus group discussions and interviews. A new model of resilience among transnational families of Filipina domestic helpers was created using a constructivist grounded theory approach. The model highlighted how temporal and spatial elements are embedded in collective migration experiences. Family narratives begin with the sacrifice of separation, where mothers leave their families for a chance to solve economic problems. To successfully adapt to their separation, the families undergo five relational processes. First, families communicate across space using technology to bridge relational distance. Second, families restructure across space through role sharing and the validation of each other’s efforts in their family roles. Third, families rebuild ties through temporary family reunification that bridge physical and relational distance. Fourth, families have the collective goal of permanent family reunification by ending migration to become complete again. Fifth, they strive to commit to their families by prioritizing them instead of succumbing to difficulties. Family resilience for transnational migrants is a collectivistic process, negotiated by each family member.

Narrative identities of overseas Filipino domestic worker community in Macao (SAR) China

“…Consistent with the literature (e.g., Bernardo et al, ; Constable, ; Garabiles et al, ; Hall, Garabiles et al, ), domestic workers face a plethora of problems. Modern‐day slaves and inadequate identities portray them as victims of unfavorable work and family conditions, just like in past studies (Parreñas, ).…”

“…Another major source of stress is the relationship between domestic workers and their stay‐behind family. Even while abroad, they are still expected to fulfill their role as mothers and as breadwinners, nurturing their families by providing for the emotional and financial needs of their family while away (Garabiles et al, ; Hall, Garabiles et al, ; Parreñas, ; Parreñas, ; Tungohan, ). They experience loneliness and homesickness due to geographic distance (Garabiles et al, ; Hall, Garabiles et al, ; Nakonz & Shik, ; van der Ham et al, ), and some have marital problems due to misunderstandings and extramarital affairs (Garabiles et al, ; Hall, Garabiles et al, ; Parreñas, ; Parreñas, ).…”

“…They also reframe their situation by thinking positively (Bortel, Martin, Anjara, & Nellums, ). They likewise seek support from peers (Bortel et al, ; van der Ham et al, ), their family (Garabiles et al, ), and god (Bortel et al, ; Nakonz & Shik, ). They maximize rest days by beautifying themselves (Hall, Garabiles et al, ; Lan, ; Nakonz & Shik, ).…”

“…One of the sending countries is the Philippines, with about 500,000 migrant domestic workers (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2017). Economic adversity in the Philippines, along with growing demand for migrant domestic workers in high-income countries, drive Filipino women to become domestic workers abroad (Asis, 2006;Garabiles, Ofreneo, & Hall, 2017;Hall, Garabiles, & Latkin, 2019).…”

Cultural Adaptation of a Scalable World Health Organization E-Mental Health Program for Overseas Filipino Workers (Preprint)

“…OFWs' primary reason for working abroad is the desire to escape poverty or to achieve socioeconomic mobility, mainly for their family, rather than individual aspirations [19,20]. However, while abroad, and similarly to other labor migrants, OFWs are at higher risk of experiencing mental health-related issues such as loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression, and serious mental illness [20,21], and for experiencing occupational hazards [22]. Resolving these challenges are problematic, however, as labor migrants tend to have poor access to mental health services [23][24][25] and poor support systems [26].…”