Milk Teeth and Jet Planes: Kin Relations in Families of Sri Lanka's Transnational Domestic Servants

Abstract

Social costs to families and children of migrant mothers is a much talked of topic among stakeholders of migration, and social organizations. The state stands to gain much in financial terms through the remittances of these migrants, and the migrant families themselves find themselves in better living conditions due to this migration. Further study is thus necessary to ascertain whether the absent mothers cause the children and families the much talked of disruption of family life and distress to the household, particularly children. Certainly, gender relations could change with maternal duties being delegated to males and female relations. The study carried out in a coastal village in Sri Lanka did not support the concerns that long term maternal migration impinged adversely on households. Children did not suffer much abuse and neglect as thought, although detrimental effects on children’s education and marriages was seen.