Ang Nanay kong Tatay, Ang Tatay kong Nanay (Adapted) A Study on the Reconfiguration of Gender roles in the family brought about by overseas migration

Abstract

The impact resulting from overseas labor migration has been the subject of much speculation. The separation of family members is in itself a transgression of the ideal close family ties. This contradiction can be understood when we consider the motivations of Filipino migrants 一 they have to work abroad to provide a better life for the family. When men migrate their departure was seen as part of their role as providers while when women started leaving, it challenged the ideal of stay at home mothers who serve as the light of the home or "ilaw ng tahanan" It is surmised that migration transnationalizes the family by way of separating mothers and fathers from their children and family as a whole. The distance between family members and the absence of parents transforms the simple nuclear Filipino family into the Filipino transnational family where the either the mother or father is in a different country 一 Singapore, Canada, California and anywhere around the globe. This transnationalization of the family via overseas migration reconfigure gender roles in the family because the parent left behind has to fulfill the roles of the absent parent. When a father or husband leaves, the stereotyping is not disrupted but when a mother or wife leaves, reconfiguration takes place because the male should assume the homemaker role for survival. Meanwhile, the absence of one parent prompts other family members to help and assist the migrant family - this brings about the change in family structure because the nuclear family becomes an extended family. Although this situation only took place in some of our participant families, most of them value the help they get from other relatives. The changes in the family make negative consequences unavoidable and because of these possible circumstances, support groups and the aid they give migrants and their dependents are significant. The roles other family members are very clear while the school is the second easiest to turn to especially for the children because they provide counseling and seminars. The Church, through the Ministry for Migrants, also portrays a vital role because they provide religious guidance to the migrant worker and his or her family. The government also tries to reach out, through the OWWA which promotes the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers. But still, there are groups that are not satisfied with the services given to OFW's and are against their exploitation. One of these concerned groups is MIGRANTE party list which tries to have the voices of the worker and their families heard through legislative measures. However, these institutions are not always affective except for the extended family. Thus, there is a need for these groups to review their programs to enable them to reach out to more migrants and their families. Overseas migration also has positive effects especially when it comes to gender equality - this is simply because the mother or father left behind and assumes the role of the parent who left behind is transcending their gender boundaries by performing the roles of the one who left. This is a good way of fighting gender stereotyping because due to many factors that perpetuate gender in our society, men and women are stereotyped into a set of roles that each should play. When one leaves, the parent left behind has to leave that box.