Abstract
This paper aims to explore the idea of economic-driven migration that implies motion and change, as well as gendered and social structures that impact upon the experiences of migrant family members and community-based support in the home country. This paper further highlights discussions on the women migrants’ families by interrelating three key dimensions: migration, emotions, and community-based empowerment. This study draws upon in-depth interviews of 11 women migrants with at least 3 years of experience working in Malaysia and 13 families in East Java, Indonesia, and different sets of interview questions with 7 key informants as well as interviews with migration stakeholders ranging from policymakers to NGOs in Malaysia and Indonesia. Adopting Skrbis thought on migration, emotions, and longing, this paper argues that albeit the reasons of breaking the tradition as well as a desire for self-achievement, these women juggle to compose their misery and their children’s emotional and social behavior. To overcome the drawbacks that affected the traditional family roles of international migrants, who are mothers living abroad, the influence of other social organizations is inevitable. Thus, this study presents a relevant number of interventions based on community development strategies including integrated multi-stakeholders’ national strategic plans, high-quality public services, and economic empowerment as investments in developing better transnational migrant family environments.
Published Version
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