Volume 11, 2002

Issue N. 1: Migrations and Family Relations in the Asia Pacific Region

Yeoh, Brenda S.A., Elspeth Graham and Paul J. Boyle

"Migrations and Family Relations in the Asia Pacific Region," Vol. 11 (1), p. 1-11, 2002.

Hugo, Graeme

"Effects of International Migration on the Family in Indonesia," Vol. 11 (1), p. 13-46, 2002.

This paper draws upon various studies of internal and international migration and permanent and temporary movements to assess the diverse effects of migration on families in Indonesia. The types of effects examined include those on family structure and composition, family headship, marriage and divorce, intergenerational and intrafamily relationships, care of children and the aged, the economic situation of the family, the role and status of women and power relationships in the family. Both migration and the family are in a very dynamic situation and there are important two-way relationships between them. International migration has both positive and negative influences on families in Indonesia. It is important to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between migration and family to maximize the benefits and at least ameliorate the negative effects.

Espiritu, Yen Le

"Filipino Navy Stewards and Filipina Health Care Professionals: Immigration, Work and Family Relations," Vol. 11 (1), p. 47-66, 2002.

Drawing from in-depth interviews of more than 100 Filipino Americans in San Diego, California, this article analyzes the migrations and changing family relations of Filipino Navy stewards and Filipina health care professionals. The first section details the racialized and gendered experiences of Filipino Navy stewards, paying particular attention to the men’s efforts to reclaim their masculinity in both the private and public spheres.  Focusing on Filipina health professionals, the second half of the paper explores how marriage and family relations are reconstituted in the United States when it was the wives who pioneered migration.

Asis, Maruja M.B.

"From the Life Stories of Filipino Women: Personal and Family Agendas in Migration," Vol. 11 (1), p. 67-93, 2002.

Drawing from the life stories of 10 women migrants who had returned from working abroad, this article examines the individual-family nexus in terms of migration decision-making processes, how women and their families cope as transnational families, and how women migrants themselves view and assess their migration experience. The life stories indicate the significance of women’s agency in initiating and carrying out their decisions, with support from their families. It should be noted though that although most of them decided to work abroad for the sake of their families, women also sought and attained personal benefits from migration. Among other purposes, the use of life stories provides a window to appreciate the internal changes that women attribute to their migration experiences.

Tyner, James A.

"The Globalization of Transnational Labor Migration and the Filipino Family: A Narrative," Vol. 11 (1), p. 95-116, 2002.

Patterns of transnational migration have undergone rapid and dramatic shifts as a result of changes in the global economy. The countries and territories of Asia have especially been affected by globalizing processes as seen in the increased institutional regulation of transnational migration.  Together, these changes in the global economy, transnational migration and institutional penetration have affected the formation and functions of families in the Asian region. Given the recency of these changes, many questions remain unanswered. How do government and private institutions, for example, influence familial relations and the migratory process? How are migrants’ identities affected by these processes? Employing a narrative analysis, this paper examines the intersection of institutional regulations and the Filipino family. Specifically, I present the case of Lisa, a Filipina who formerly worked as a performing artist in Okinawa, and now resides in the United States. Through Lisa’s story, I explore how institutional regulations provide opportunities and constraints on her migratory experiences, and how her changing familial situation affects her sense of self-identity. As such, this paper provides insights into the human experience associated with changing processes of globalization.

Lam, Theodora, Brenda S.A. Yeoh and Lisa Law

"Sustaining Families Transnationally: Chinese-Malaysians in Singapore," Vol. 11 (1), p. 117-143, 2002.

In contrast to existing literature on transnational elites which has stereotypically identified the migrant as an individual careerist, usually white, middle-aged and male, this paper gives attention to aspects of skilled transmigration beyond the productive sphere by bringing into play questions concerning the “family” and “family relations.” We suggest that even in situations where different family members do not move as a unit, the “family” and “family relations” continue to be constructed, sustained and re-shaped in grounded ways, as signalled by new family forms such as “astronaut husbands” and “parachute kids.” Indeed, hyper-mobilities among global elites often lead to families being “lived” and “sustained” transnationally.  Using a two-pronged approach that combines a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews, the paper is based on a study of Chinese-Malaysian professionals who have been accorded expatriate or permanent resident status in Singapore. The study focused on their transmigratory experience and how they negotiate crucial issues relating to the “family.” Chinese-Malaysian transmigrants maintain very strong social networks linking them to their dispersed family members, creating new geographies of households. New household strategies and social practices such as transnational marriage, parenting and caring for elderly parents have since evolved to cope with the dispersion of family members across borders.

Ho, Elsie Seckyee

"Multi-local Residence, Transnational Networks: Chinese 'Astronaut’ Families in New Zealand," Vol. 11(1), p. 145-164, 2002.

This paper uses longitudinal survey data to explore the dynamics of some Hong Kong Chinese families that have settled in New Zealand during the early 1990s. It examines the changes in family structure, settlement and employment experiences as family members adjust to opportunities in both their host country and their former homeland. The data suggest that the stereotype of the ‘astronaut’ family that prevailed in the early 1990s is no longer appropriate. In the new transnational family structure, members are dispersing over several countries, rather than residing continuously in only one place. The policy implications of the research findings for settlement are discussed in the concluding section.