WHEN WOMEN MIGRATE: RECONFIGURING GENDER ROLES IN RURAL INDONESIAN HOUSEHOLDS

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the reconstruction of gender roles in rural communities by focusing on families of female migrant workers in Oenoni Village, Amarasi District, Kupang Regency. It seeks to understand how women’s labor migration reshapes household roles, family responsibilities, and the emotional relationship between mothers and children, while also examining the structural conditions that sustain this pattern. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts a qualitative case-study design to capture the lived experiences of families of female migrant workers in a rural context. Particular attention is given to the economic, social, and emotional dimensions of women’s migration and to the ways these dimensions influence caregiving arrangements, family interaction, and the division of roles within the household. Findings: The findings indicate that female migrant workers occupy a position marked by both economic importance and emotional strain. On the one hand, they often become the main providers for their families and contribute substantially to household welfare. On the other hand, their absence from home tends to create tension in mother–child relationships, especially in relation to emotional attachment, communication, and everyday caregiving. Children who are left behind may experience emotional difficulties, while mothers often carry a psychological burden shaped by guilt and the sense of missing important stages in their children’s growth. These conditions should not be viewed simply as personal or domestic problems, but rather as consequences of wider social and institutional arrangements that have not adequately supported women’s employment, caregiving responsibilities, and family well-being. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to a specific rural setting and focuses on the experiences of female migrant worker families in one community. For that reason, the findings are not intended to be statistically generalized. Even so, the study points to the importance of further research on gender-role change, transnational caregiving, and the longer-term social effects of women’s migration in rural households. Practical implications: The findings suggest that support for female migrant workers should not stop at economic assistance and legal protection. More comprehensive measures are needed, including psychological support for both mothers and children, efforts to maintain emotional ties across distance, and the strengthening of community-based caregiving mechanisms. Communication technology, family counseling, and local support networks may help reduce some of the emotional consequences of prolonged separation. Social implications: A broader understanding of the well-being of female migrant workers is important for strengthening family resilience, supporting children’s development, and informing more gender-responsive rural policies. Recognizing that migrant mothers carry not only economic responsibilities but also emotional and caregiving burdens is essential for building support systems that are fairer and more sustainable. Originality/value: This study contributes to the discussion by showing that the experience of female migrant workers in rural Indonesia cannot be understood solely in economic terms. It highlights how women’s migration is closely tied to changes in gender roles, caregiving practices, and emotional relationships within the family. In doing so, the study offers a more complete perspective on the link between household survival, social structure, and the need for stronger collective caregiving support.