Effects of migration decisions on caregiving dynamics among left-behind caregivers : a case study of Dhunibesi municipality in Dhading, Nepal | |
| Author | Khakurel, Pransu |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-24-04 |
| Subject(s) | Emigration and immigration--Nepal--Case studies Migrant labor--Nepal--Case studies Women immigrants--Nepal--Case studies |
| Note | A thesis submitted in patial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Parental Migration, leads to significant shift in childcare responsibilities among the left behind families in context of Nepal, leading to evolving care structures. Although research is being undertaken in the social implications of migration globally, there is a significant gap in the research undertaking in contexts of South Asia and Nepal. Considering this, the study focuses on the family decision making in care and migration, challenges faced by the caregivers after migration of a family member and family support mechanisms facilitating caregiving. The study was undertaken in ten caregivers (6 left behind mothers, 2 left behind fathers and 2 grandmothers) in Dhunibesi Municipality-2, Dhading, a rural area neighbouring Kathmandu. The study highlights the economic and gendered dimensions in determining family migratory and caregiving roles. Findings reveal that the economic factors drive the migratory and caregiving decisions while gender norms reinforce traditional gender stereotypes. This also tends to significantly influence the experiences of the caregivers. While the left-behind mothers tended to face increased workloads in balance childcare duties with domestic chores, the left behind fathers tended to face internal conflict due to shift in caregiving roles. Similarly, left behind grandmothers experienced dual burden of balancing their grandchildren’s and their deteriorating health. The study also portrayed the influence of family structure on childcare after parental migration. The findings suggest the reciprocity within kinship networks easing burden for mothers in joint families but elderly and left behind single parents in nuclear families faced limitations in acquiring caregiving support due to distance with their kins and cultural norms. However, the scenario might also be reliant on other intersectionality and particularly in terms of relationship with the kins influenced by geographic proximity, physical capabilities of other family members and the familial relationships in joint families. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chatterjee, Joyee S.;Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government;HM Queen (Thailand) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |