Rethinking stories of transnational mothering in the context of international study

Lockwood, KA; Smith, K; Karpenko-Seccombe, T

Abstract

Women’s migration has facilitated diverse understandings of both mothering and motherhood. Despite this, transnational mothering tends to be understood in narrowly defined terms, largely associated with economic necessity, with alternative motivations for women’s migration and transnational mothering largely absent from existing literature. This research aims to contribute to literature about transnational mothering by drawing on research with mothers in the context of postgraduate international study to explore the different ways in which mothers reproduce, negotiate, contest and diversify narratives of ‘good mothering’. We also bring greater visibility to stories of transnational mothers and illuminate the other interests and aspirations that transnational mothers evoke with regards to their migration. We argue that rethinking stories of transnational mothering allows us to hear about and to value a diversity of mothers’ lives, so these mothers do not have to inhabit the margins and periphery of stories of either motherhood or international student life.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 13, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Nov 23, 2018
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Deposit Date: Nov 14, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2020
• Journal: Women's Studies International Forum
• Print ISSN: 0277-5395
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 72
• Pages: 17-24
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2018.11.006
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/womens-studies-international-forum
• Additional Information: Projects : Rethinking stories of transnational mothering in the context of international study