Sustaining Families Transnationally: Chinese-Malaysians in Singapore

Abstract

In contrast to existing literature on transnational elites which has stereotypically identified the migrant as an individual careerist, usually white, middle-aged and male, this paper gives attention to aspects of skilled transmigration beyond the productive sphere by bringing into play questions concerning the “family” and “family relations.” We suggest that even in situations where different family members do not move as a unit, the “family” and “family relations” continue to be constructed, sustained and reshaped in grounded ways, as signalled by new family forms such as “astronaut husbands” and “parachute kids.” Indeed, hyper-mobilities among global elites often lead to families being “lived” and “sustained” transnationally. Using a two-pronged approach that combines a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews, the paper is based on a study of Chinese-Malaysian professionals who have been accorded expatriate or permanent resident status in Singapore. The study focused on their transmigratory experience and how they negotiate crucial issues relating to the “family.” Chinese-Malaysian transmigrants maintain very strong social networks linking them to their dispersed family members, creating new geographies of households. New household strategies and social practices such as transnational marriage, parenting and caring for elderly parents have since evolved to cope with the dispersion of family members across borders.

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