Mothering from Afar: Conceptualizing Transnational Motherhood

Abstract

This paper explores the social, economic, and familial implications of transnational motherhood as experienced by women who leave their families behind in order to work internationally. In addressing the personal, sociocultural, and economic contexts which both motivate mothers to migrate for work, and emerge from their decision to do so, this article argues that motherhood is a relational concept, contingent upon social, cultural, and personal perceptions. In particular, it focuses on the experiences of transnational mothers in how they reveal the social, cultural, political, and economic structurings of the concept of motherhood. In doing so, this paper illustrates how motherhood is also a flexible concept, transforming based upon the particular situations within which mothers find themselves.