Drawing on ethnographic research conducted with the Thai migrant community in Hong Kong between 2016 and 2020, this book provides original insights into the complexity and diversity of identity negotiation, ethnicity navigation, and womanhood reinvention of Thai migrant women in Hong Kong. Allowing research to move beyond standard stories of victimized migrants and domestic workers by focusing on the increasing number of Southeast Asians moving into the middle-class, this ethnographic study of the everyday lived experience of Thai migrant women in Hong Kong will advance a new understanding of transnational migration and mobility at the intersections of gender, ethnicity, class, generation, and religion. This book illustrates the influence of transnationalism and multiculturalism on migrant women's meaning-making and accentuates the importance of diversity within a migrant population ― in particular, the importance of maintaining an intersectional perspective to understand the broader phenomenon of contemporary middle-class and professional migration within Southeast Asia.
Author(s): Herbary Zhang
Series: Migration, Diasporas and Citizenship
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 157
City: Cham
Acknowledgments
Contents
List of Figures
Chapter 1: Introduction: Starting the Journey
Introduction
Background of the Research
Aims and Significance of the Research
Research Questions
Research Focus and Design
Overview of the Book
References
Chapter 2: Investigating Migrant Women in Hong Kong: Toward an Intersectional Analysis Approach
Women’s Migration in the Asia-Pacific Region
Southeast Asian Migrants in Hong Kong
Transnational Migration
Transnationalism and Migration
Incorporating Gender into Transnational Migration
Toward an Intersectional Analysis of Migration
Contemporary Identity Theories
National Identity
Ethnic Identity
Gender Identity
Identity Negotiation
Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Establishing the Ethnographic Study of Thai Migrant Women in Hong Kong
Conceptual Frameworks to Guide the Ethnographic Study
Research Design
Gatekeeper in Fieldwork
The Field Site and the Researcher’s Multiple Role
Study Participants and Recruitment
Selection Criteria
Sampling Processes
Data Collection Methods
Pilot Study
Interview Questions
Formal Interviews
Participant Observation
Data Management and Analysis
Issues Relating to Trustworthiness and Authenticity
Ethical Considerations
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: Transnational Migration and Identity Negotiation: Under the Gaze of Buddhism
Introduction
Transnationalism and Transnational Migration
Transnationalism and Identity
Buddhism and Transnational Nationalism
Transnational Space and Belonging
Rethinking Buddhism and Gender Equality
Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: Navigating the Ethnic Boundary: From “In-Between” to Plural Ethnicities
Introduction
Southeast Asian and Thai Migrants in Hong Kong
Theoretical Background: From In-Between to Plural Ethnicities
Ethnicity in the Context of Thai Women
Research Methodology
Findings
In-between vs Plural Ethnicities Among Thai Migrant Women
Navigating Ethnic Boundaries—Generational Differences
Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: Reinventing Transnational Womanhood: In the Journeys of Migrant Women
Introduction
Incorporating Gender into Transnational Migration
An Overview of Thai Migrants in Hong Kong
Sample, Method, and Fieldwork
Sociocultural Structure of Gender in Thai Society
Negotiating Gender Roles and Expectations in the Hong Kong Context
Negotiating Gender Roles and Expectations in the Hong Kong Context
Clash and Negotiation in Hong Kong Family Life
Conclusion
References
Chapter 7: Conclusion: Moving Beyond
Overview of the Research
Understanding Identity Negotiation of Thai Migrant Women
Contributions to Theory Building
In-betweenness of Transnational Migrants
Understand Various Categories of Migrant Women
Implications for Policy and Practice
Limitations of the Research
Suggestions for Future Research
Concluding Remarks
References
Index
