Abstract
Background: In Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, conflicts between ethnic minorities, the government, and the military have been ongoing for decades. Enduring unrest has caused thousands to flee to the region around Mae Sot, a city on Thailand’s western border. Women around the world assume a combination of reproductive and productive responsibilities, and during situations of armed conflict and displacement, conditions for women often worsen. This study investigated the parenting experiences of female migrants from Myanmar living in protracted refugee situations in Mae Sot. Methods: This research was part of a mixed-methods international comparative study on the experiences of parenting in adversity. In this analysis, 62 first-person qualitative narratives shared by migrant mothers in the Thailand–Myanmar border region were inductively analyzed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven method. Results: The results highlight how migrant mothers undertake significant reproductive responsibilities, such as breastfeeding and child-rearing, as well as productive responsibilities, including paid labour in the agricultural, formal, and informal sectors. In order to care and provide for their families, female migrants in the Thailand–Myanmar border region utilized four childcare strategies: caring for children while working, caring for children instead of working, dispersing responsibilities amongst extended family members and children, and delegating reproductive responsibilities to formal and non-familial caretakers. Conclusions: Most mothers shared stories in which they or their immediate family members cared for their children, rather than depending on neighbours or formal childminders. Female migrants may face challenges locating desirable work that is compatible with childcare, rendering certain childcare arrangement strategies more prevalent than others. Further research could elucidate these challenges and how opportunities for gainful employment that are conducive to childcare can be generated for women living in protracted refugee situations.
Highlights
IntroductionFormerly and currently known by some as Burma, is a lower-mid income country and is one of the most diverse regions in Southeast Asia, consistin more than 130 ethnic groups [1]
64.5 percent (n = 40) were living alone with their children, while only 22.6 percent of the participants (n = 14) were living with a father or step-father, and 12.9 percent of the participants (n = 8) were living with a grandparent or other family member
Female migrants in situations of ongoing conflict and displacement across the Global South face significant challenges finding desirable, well-paid work that does not expose them to abuse or exploitation and is compatible with childcare
Summary
Formerly and currently known by some as Burma, is a lower-mid income country and is one of the most diverse regions in Southeast Asia, consistin more than 130 ethnic groups [1]. In the eastern border region, conflicts betw minority ethnic groups, the government, and the military for autonomy within framework of a federal union have been ongoing since at least the time of independ ethnic groups. Lasting legacies of colonial military d’états, andethnic socialist mil groups, the government, and the military for autonomy within the framework of a federal dictatorships have had enormous impacts on the country’s current social, political union have been ongoing since at least the time of independence in 1948 [2,3]. Conclusions: Most mothers shared stories in which they or their immediate family members cared for their children, rather than depending on neighbours or formal childminders
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