Filipina domestic workers in Singapore share some experiences with other overseas mothers but also face unique challenges

19 Jan 2026

In this study, I looked at how single Filipina mothers working as domestic workers in Singapore maintain their familial ties, especially with their children. This study goes beyond just recording the challenges and approaches single Filipina migrant mothers use in maintaining family relationships from afar; it also aims to reflect their perspectives and hopes for amplifying their voices.

My findings showed that while the experiences of my participants share some common themes with other overseas mothers, they also face distinctive challenges. They balance being the main breadwinner and primary caregiver, feel a strong need to work abroad while being solely responsible for their children, and manage caregiving from a distance through female relatives. They also deal with working in a foreign country without the emotional and financial support of a partner. Additionally, I found that their paid caregiving work in Singapore and their unpaid caregiving in the Philippines are not mutually exclusive but rather interconnected activities. Ultimately, this article strives to make my interlocutors’ voices heard and attempts to contribute towards achieving justice in knowledge representation.

My research is significant for three reasons, mainly within the field of sociology of gender and global inequalities. First, I explore how single Filipino mothers manage family life from abroad to float unique narratives that are often overlooked in the literature on transnational mothering by Filipina migrants. Although Filipino single mothers appear in various studies, their specific experiences have not been the focus. Second, I apply standpoint theory to the lives of single Filipina migrant mothers. This theory suggests that one’s social position influences one’s worldview and that unique experiences in these positions can shape knowledge. Third, I employ Filipino indigenous methodologies: pakikilahok and pakikipagkwentuhan. These methods are deeply rooted in Filipino culture and emphasize participatory research. Beyond centering a segment of Filipino experience, the findings of my study are applicable and relevant globally, especially in comparative migration studies.

Author: Athena Charanne R. Presto (Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1177/00207152251319744

Image by Farrah Sayyed from Pexels

Filipina domestic workers in Singapore share some experiences with other overseas mothers but also face unique challenges

In this study, I looked at how single Filipina mothers working as domestic workers in Singapore maintain their familial ties, especially with their children. This study goes beyond just recording the challenges and approaches single Filipina migrant mothers use in maintaining family relationships from afar; it also aims to reflect their perspectives and hopes for amplifying their voices.

My findings showed that while the experiences of my participants share some common themes with other overseas mothers, they also face distinctive challenges. They balance being the main breadwinner and primary caregiver, feel a strong need to work abroad while being solely responsible for their children, and manage caregiving from a distance through female relatives. They also deal with working in a foreign country without the emotional and financial support of a partner. Additionally, I found that their paid caregiving work in Singapore and their unpaid caregiving in the Philippines are not mutually exclusive but rather interconnected activities. Ultimately, this article strives to make my interlocutors’ voices heard and attempts to contribute towards achieving justice in knowledge representation.

My research is significant for three reasons, mainly within the field of sociology of gender and global inequalities. First, I explore how single Filipino mothers manage family life from abroad to float unique narratives that are often overlooked in the literature on transnational mothering by Filipina migrants. Although Filipino single mothers appear in various studies, their specific experiences have not been the focus. Second, I apply standpoint theory to the lives of single Filipina migrant mothers. This theory suggests that one’s social position influences one’s worldview and that unique experiences in these positions can shape knowledge. Third, I employ Filipino indigenous methodologies: pakikilahok and pakikipagkwentuhan. These methods are deeply rooted in Filipino culture and emphasize participatory research. Beyond centering a segment of Filipino experience, the findings of my study are applicable and relevant globally, especially in comparative migration studies.

Author: Athena Charanne R. Presto (Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1177/00207152251319744

Image by Farrah Sayyed from Pexels