Nation, Migration and Women

Abstract

Despite increasing international migration, academic concerns regarding the relationship between women and nation have focused minimal attention on women who reside outside their national territory. By combining theories on gender-nation relationship and long-distance nationalism, this study explores migrant women’s agency in their relationship with their home nation, contesting the conventional considerations of women based on traditional gender roles, by examining young Korean migrant women residing in the UK. In particular, this research investigates the migrant women’s rethinking of their national identity and their intention to contribute active societal roles as a Korean, extending beyond distinct political activism or economical supports that previous studies were confined to. The main factors influencing the thoughts of being a Korean woman in Britain are found in two dimensions ? first, new experiences in the host country as migrant/ethnic minority to remind these women of their national identity in everyday life; second, the social atmosphere to respect success on the global stage in contemporary Korea. While these women have critical attitudes towards Korean society and have left Korea, they continue to try to be proper members of Korea. Yet this is not simply a confirmation of their loyalty. They strive to contribute to Korea and preserve Korean cultural values, but deny reckless patriotism orilliberal nationalism. By pursuing a successful career and contribution to Korea while at the same time living outside Korea, the migrants challenge domesticity (the key characteristic of women in national discourse) and reveal the ironic relationship between women’s becoming desirable Korean citizens and leaving their country of origin.