What is transnational motherhood and what challenges does it present?

• A. A form of extended stay abroad mothers in the same country.
• B. A policy program to support immigrant mothers.
• C. When migrant mothers leave children in their home country to work abroad, leading to separation, caregiving stress, and reliance on extended kin networks.
• D. A religious rite for migrant families.

Answer: (C)

Transnational motherhood is when migrant mothers leave their children in their home country to work abroad. This creates family separation and shifts daily caregiving to those who stay behind. The main challenges include caregiving stress on the relatives who assume day-to-day care, emotional strain and worry for the mother about her children's well-being, and a reliance on extended kin networks to fill caregiving gaps. While remittances can boost the family’s finances, the absence of the mother can affect attachment and day-to-day routines, and distances or communication barriers can complicate maintaining close parent–child ties. This description captures how globalization and labor migration shape family life through distance, care dynamics, and social support networks.