International Social Work
Volume 62, Issue 4, 2019, Pages 1198-1212

Being a ‘good’ mother: Immigrant mothers of disabled children (Article)

Kim K.M.* , Hwang S.K.
  • a Soongsil University, South Korea
  • b Northumbria University, United Kingdom

Abstract

In South Korea, disability and immigration are hidden and invisible phenomena. This article examines how immigrant mothers experience the intersection of immigrant status and mothering a disabled child. Through semi-structured interviews with 16 immigrant mothers, this study found that the values of Confucian familism regarding motherhood and gender roles influenced how these immigrant mothers behaved. The study also found that immigrant mothers faced multiple forms of stigma and discrimination as a result of negative socio-cultural views of disability and immigration. Therefore, the article suggests a need for inter-professional, anti-oppression work strategies to support immigrant mothers of disabled children, along with education for social workers about these issues. © The Author(s) 2018.

Author Keywords

Immigrant mothers Mothering Anti-oppressive working strategies disabled children South Korea

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85045830094&doi=10.1177%2f0020872818769707&partnerID=40&md5=c6bd1dee9c9b38a26e47af248cf927c0

DOI: 10.1177/0020872818769707
ISSN: 00208728
Original Language: English