Mothers from developing countries, like those in Southeast Asia, are taking up domestic work abroad, leaving their children to be raised by relatives in hopes of securing a better future for them.
This article sheds light on the plight of mothers from Southeast Asia, such as Yoga Prasetyo's mother, who have left their children behind to work abroad as domestic helpers. Yoga Prasetyo reflects on his distant relationship with his mother, who he only knew through photographs, exemplifying the emotional cost of this choice. Since the 1970s, countries like Singapore and Hong Kong have become magnets for foreign domestic workers, creating economic opportunities in their workforce at the expense of familial bonds.
The phenomenon is exacerbated by governments in the Philippines and Indonesia, which have historically promoted overseas employment as a means to reduce unemployment and boost their economies. Statistics indicate that approximately two million Filipinos work overseas, with a significant percentage engaged in domestic labor. This trend highlights the sacrifices made by these mothers, as they navigate the complexities of securing financial stability for their families while remaining physically absent from their children's lives.
Ultimately, the article raises important questions regarding the socio-economic structures that compel these women to choose work over family. It explores the emotional ramifications for both mothers and children and the normalization of such sacrifices in the quest for a better life, illuminating the often invisible struggles entailed in global domestic labor markets.
