Exploring the dynamics of mother-adolescent relationships in OFW families: Examining motherhood ideals, practices, relationship quality, and maternal well-being

• Main Author: Domingo, Peachy G.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Mother and child; Adolescent psychology; Families > Philippines; Filipinos > Employment > Foreign countries; Sociology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdd_behsc/5; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdd_behsc/article/1005/viewcontent/2024_Domingo_Exploring_the_Dynamics_of_Mother_Adolescent_Relationships_in_OFW.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This descriptive-phenomenological study delves into the nuances and intricacies of the mother-adolescent child's experiences and the quality of their relationship within OFW families. It explores the motherhood ideologies, practices, experience of ambivalence, and overall well-being of mothers and their links to shaping their mother-adolescent offspring relationship. The experiences of non-migrant wives from transnational families were examined through the lens of the intensive motherhood ideology to provide insight and analysis. Twenty mothers with adolescent children were interviewed, revealing that most were aged 41-50, primarily housewives but with work experience. Their OFW husbands had worked overseas for an average of 12.3 years, contributing around 30,050 pesos monthly. Mothers characterized their adolescent children as obedient or indolent, with daughters deemed more helpful, homebody, introverted, and sensitive. Marital cohesion in OFW families was linked to regular transnational communication, facilitating collaborative parenting. Irregular remittance caused marital conflict, but working mothers were less affected due to their capacity to provide. The narratives of 20 non-migrant wives revealed four main themes. Firstly, motherhood ideals are shaped by expectations, economic constraints, and personal experiences, with stay-at-home wives prioritizing children over careers and working wives balancing financial pressures. Secondly, parenting styles evolve from authoritarian to more flexible as children grow. Thirdly, relationships with adolescent children involve conflicts and closeness through activities and communication. Lastly, the stories highlight non-migrant wives' resilience and emotional well-being, emphasizing the importance of positive family relationships.