Shelly Malik Siti Zubeidah Kadir Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

1. The Use of Mobile Phone & Internet in Transnational Mothering among Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore Shelly Malik SitiZubeidahKadir Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information 9 December 2011 CPRsouth6, Bangkok, 2011

2. 1.5 million women Impact of separation Introduction 9 million children

3. Introduction • Potential role of ICTs in transnational mothering • Constructing a ‘connected relationship’ (Wilding, 2006) • Research gap • A framework to guide research • The role of Internet • The importance of mothering • Objective • To examine the roles of mobile phone and internet applications in child rearing practices of migrant domestic workers The role of ICT in transnational mothering Constructing a ‘connected relationship’ (Wilding, 2006) 9 million children

4. Conceptual Framework ICT for Child Rearing diagram Transnational Mothering Achievement Alleviating worry Parental control Expression of affect Emphasis on health Independence Intimacy Model adapted from: ICT-for-healthcare-development model (Chib et al., 2008) and Child Rearing Practices constructs (Block, 1965; McNally et al., 1991; Roberts et al., 1984)

5. Methodology • Snowball and convenience sampling • 11 Indonesian and 11 Filipina female • All except 1 are using both Internet and mobile phone to communicate with their children • Focus group discussion / interview and self-completion survey • Conducted in English and Bahasa Indonesia • The survey presents an insight into domestic workers’ general use of ICTs, e.g., type of ICTs, frequency, communication time. • The focus group discussions / interviews provide an in-depth understanding, e.g., topics discussed on different ICT types, transnational child rearing practices, benefits and barriers of ICT use.

6. 1. ICTs are critical instruments for transnational child rearing practices Key Findings • Partially alleviate worry about child • Monitor child’s activities, health, meal intakes The positive side is that I can contact her anytime. Every day I ask her what time you wake up, what you eat, what you do at school. I will also tell her every day what I do, what I cook. (R22) • Exert parental control When she goes home from school, she has to finish her homework first before playing. I SMS her at around the time she is doing homework to check. (R21) • Encourage child’s achievement • Express affection

7. Key Findings • 2. ICTs facilitate intimacy creation and maintenance • ICTs permit frequent communication and informs mothers of their children’s physical and emotional needs • All believe they have a close relationship with their children, but it may be an “imagined” closeness She doesn’t know what kind of work I am doing here. She also doesn’t ask much. She just knows that I work in Singapore to make money. (R14) • Mobile phone calls most useful in facilitating intimate communication. I always ask them why you feel sad, then they always tell me why. Better to call then SMS, because in SMS you cannot tell what they are feeling inside. I always tell them, good or bad, tell me so I can help you. So I always spend a lot on global call on this, because I don’t want my children to keep anything inside the heart. (R3)

8. Key Findings • 3. New ICTs complement rather than replace old technology • Mobile phone is most preferred, for its direct contact, convenience, fast response, and audio feature Using letter, we have to wait for a long time. Using handphone, we can quickly know, even in one minute, how she is, whether she has eaten. (R22) • Internet’s visual engagement through Facebook photos and video chat (I prefer) video cam cause it is clearer, I can talk and see at the same time and can see their facial expressions. But because I can’t use it as and when I need, so I have to use the handphone. (R21) • Facebook allows flexibility and new ways of communication and helps to keep track of their children in a non-intrusive way. I check who her friends are, her activities. I see when she post comments and if it’s not very nice, I will comment on her to watch her words. (R10)

9. 4. ICTs are not able to fully bridge the physical separation Key Findings • ICTs cannot replace physical presence (Taking care of children with technology is) not enough. Lacking in love. Lacking due to the distance although we often call and send SMS. I can’t hug her. (R22) • More pronounced when children are sick or unhappy My daughter doesn’t want to tell me if she’s sick. So I have to check with my parents, then I will talk to her. (R13) • Infrastructural issues • Most respondents are allowed to use ICTs after they finish their work. Few face stricter employers. My Ma’am said that even using handphone requires electricity. (R19)

10. Conclusion • Separation due to economic reasons • Negative impact on mothers and children In the past she often complained, but now not anymore. I told her that if I didn’t work, who would pay for her school fee. (R22) • ICTs are critical tools for transnational mothering • Should governments / employers provide access to more types of ICTs? • Should it be made compulsory for employers to let domestic workers contact their families regularly? • New ICTs complement old technologies For now, we can communicate well. But if possible, in the future there will be a better communication tool. (R13) • ICTs are unable to fully bridge physical separation • Should domestic workers be given a paid leave to return home?

11. THANK YOU • shel0002@e.ntu.edu.sg