Becoming independent through au pair migration: Self-making and social re-positioning among young Filipinas in Denmark

TY - JOUR

T1 - Becoming independent through au pair migration

T2 - Self-making and social re-positioning among young Filipinas in Denmark

AU - Dalgas, Karina Märcher

PY - 2015/5/4

Y1 - 2015/5/4

N2 - Over the past decade, growing numbers of young Filipinas have entered Denmark on the au pair scheme. While its official aim is to broaden the cultural horizons of youth, researchers generally view Filipina au pairing as a form of labour migration using au pairs as inexpensive domestic workers. This article argues that, despite this critique, au pairing does play an important formative role for young Filipinas because it opens up for experiences abroad that enable them to be recognised as independent adults in Philippine society. Rather than autonomy, however, au pairs define their independence in terms of their capacity to assume responsibility for others, thereby achieving a position of social respect. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Denmark and the Philippines, this article explores how young Filipinas use the social, economic, and cultural resources they gain from their au pair stay abroad to re-position themselves vis-à-vis family and friends at home.

AB - Over the past decade, growing numbers of young Filipinas have entered Denmark on the au pair scheme. While its official aim is to broaden the cultural horizons of youth, researchers generally view Filipina au pairing as a form of labour migration using au pairs as inexpensive domestic workers. This article argues that, despite this critique, au pairing does play an important formative role for young Filipinas because it opens up for experiences abroad that enable them to be recognised as independent adults in Philippine society. Rather than autonomy, however, au pairs define their independence in terms of their capacity to assume responsibility for others, thereby achieving a position of social respect. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Denmark and the Philippines, this article explores how young Filipinas use the social, economic, and cultural resources they gain from their au pair stay abroad to re-position themselves vis-à-vis family and friends at home.

KW - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

KW - migration

KW - education

KW - au pair

KW - Philippines

KW - family

KW - domestic workers

U2 - 10.1080/1070289X.2014.939185

DO - 10.1080/1070289X.2014.939185

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1070-289X

VL - 22

SP - 333

EP - 346

JO - Identities

JF - Identities

IS - 3

ER -