Inter-Asia Cultural Studies
Volume 15, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 154-163

The seven-year struggle: injustices at home for Chinese immigrant women in Hong Kong (Article)

Ho P.S.Y. , Ho C.K.I. , Wong W.C.W. , Pau A.M.Y.
  • a Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, 5/F., Jockey Club Tower, The Centennial Campus, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong
  • b Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, 5/F., Jockey Club Tower, The Centennial Campus, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong
  • c Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F., Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
  • d Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F., Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong

Abstract

In the Second Quarter of 2013, there have been 11,017 one-way permit holders who have entered Hong Kong, a daily average of 121 persons. Among these, 43.3% are migrant women aged 25-44. The main sources of stress for these new arrivals are often described as financial burdens and their poor living environments. Little has been said about the challenges they have to face as second-class citizens, their status in their first seven years in Hong Kong, before they become permanent residents. This paper documents the seven-year struggle of these migrant women with a focus on the discrimination and injustices that they face in their marriage and families. Such discrimination in the "private sphere" (within marriage and family) is a reflection of the bias some migrant women face in the "public sphere" (within the community), which has affected their access to resources and life opportunities as well as their capabilities to meet their various needs and cope with the acculturation stress. Their secondary citizenship has also reinforced their subordinated status at home and thus it is difficult for them to identify and redress injustices and inequalities that they have to face within the private sphere. © 2014 © 2014 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

qualitative research new arrival women injustice narrative analysis Mainland Chinese immigrant/migrants marriage

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84897850151&doi=10.1080%2f14649373.2014.872828&partnerID=40&md5=0692127d329e7bcd0cea99aa8e1dd01c
DOI: 10.1080/14649373.2014.872828
ISSN: 14649373
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English