The Mothering Experiences of Filipina Domestic Workers and Female Employers Living in Hong Kong

This article aims to understand the mothering experiences of Filipina domestic and care workers and female employers in Hong Kong. It also discusses how mothering experiences differentiate at the intersection of class, ethnicity and migration policies. In line with this objective qualitative research was conducted by using feminist standpoint epistemology. In the research, in-depth interviews were carried out with eighteen Filipina workers and eighteen female employers and four focus group meetings were organised with the participation of five women from each group. According to the findings of the research, based on their class, ethnicity and migration experiences, Filipina domestic and care workers and female employers define “good mothering” differently. The mothering experiences of Filipina workers are transformed by the separation from their children (as they live apart), the migration policies of Hong Kong and the relationship with their female employers. The mothering experiences of female employers are shaped by the competitive childrearing practices in Hong Kong, the importance given to the education and the support they receive from their migrant helpers.