Communication on the Collective Care of Migrant Workers’ Children

Abstract

Child growth and development are preferably in the care of parents, especially mothers. However, such condition is not always available, especially for children whose mothers have to work abroad as migrant workers. Children who should be in the care of their mothers are forced to be cared for by other parties in the family. Family care for migrant workers’ children is strongly influenced by the culture in which they live. Habits and uniqueness that come up in parenting will colour the collective parenting carried out by the family environment. This paper aims to analyze the role of the family in child care and the parenting culture established, as well as to build communication in the collective parenting of children. The research method used is Ethnography of communication to explore the culture that emerges in the upbringing process. The data collection technique used is observation and interviews with the families of migrant workers. The results of the study indicate that collective care for children whose mothers work as migrant workers requires the support and contribution of the extended family. Changes in parenting patterns occur from mothers to extended families, especially grandmother’s parenting patterns.