Local migrant kin or floating grandmother? Reflections on mobility and informal childcare support strategies among Polish migrants in Ireland

Bibliographic Data

ID4263200
AuthorsBojarczuk (0000-0003-3434-0604, Centre of Migration Research University of Warsaw Warsaw Poland, corresponding author), Sara Bojarczuk
Year2023
Volume23
Issue2
Pages444-458
Publication date2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Networks (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1470-2266 • E-ISSN: 1471-0374
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/glob.12406
OpenAlexW4306983885
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited47

This study investigates mobilization of social support for informal childcare among working Polish mothers in Dublin. The research incorporates 61 semi-structured interviews and maps of ego-centric networks built around the support and childcare organization. Embedded in a support network and transnational family configuration perspective, this study assesses how migrant mothers use the local and transnational connections to mobilize informal child-minding strategies. The results show a great reliance on strong ties, especially partners whose support constitutes a backbone of the family being together. Beyond that, floating grandmothers have proven to be a significant provider of childcare from a transnational perspective. The heavy reliance on the local migrant kin and friends is crucial in providing ad hoc crisis support when transnational ties cannot be mobilized. This in turn demonstrates that distance matters, and while strong ties are not available, the local weak ties are more likely to be relied on

Economic growth · Economics · Family ties · Genealogy · Interpersonal ties · Migrant workers · Mobilization · Political science · Social science · Social support · Sociology · Strong ties · Gender Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOI