The Diversification of Responsibilities for Women from Migrant Worker Families: The Continuation of Rural Gender Expectations in Childbearing

Abstract

The gender performances and responsibilities of women within families are often associated with terms such as childbearing and maternity. With the ongoing urbanization, there has been an increase in the number of families migrating to cities for work. Having lived in rural areas for extended periods before migrating, these families are influenced by rural community relations, leading to a diversification in gender performances upon their arrival in cities. The previously singular responsibility of rural women for childbearing becomes multifaceted and complex after moving to the city. Their gender performance is no longer confined to the "family" aspect, subtly contributing to a transformation in gender discourse. This research will examine an interview with mothers from Shenzhen and a scholarly article describing the plight of mothers working at Foxconn. By integrating the concept of "Doing" with Fei Xiaotong's explanations on rural family gender divisions, this study aims to clarify the extension of gender responsibilities for women from migrant worker families and the connection to rural gender expectations for women. Furthermore, it explores how the extension of these gender expectations presents new challenges for migrant working women. Thus, the findings of this study emphasize the importance of diversifying and alleviating the dual dilemmas faced by migrant working women concerning gender expectations.