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ETD Abstract Container

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Foreign Exchange Heroes or Family Builders? The Life Histories of Three Indonesian Women Migrant Workers

Nurchayati, Nurchayati
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1289411593

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Southeast Asian Studies (International Studies).
This study explores the interaction between agency and society. It examines the social processes that have brought about transnational labor migration. It also analyzes the life histories of three female ex-migrants from East Java. Petro dollars have enabled some Middle Eastern countries to undertake modernization, which expanded their middle classes and changed their lifestyles. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s economic growth has slowed down since the end of the oil boom and its labor market did not offer enough job opportunities. Viewing a labor shortage in the Middle East as a chance to solve its economic problems, the government of Indonesia (GOI) encouraged citizens to work overseas but failed to provide them with adequate protection. When many of them suffer from exploitation and abuse, the GOI rationalizes the problems by using the discourse of "foreign exchange heroes." The study shows that nation-building is an ambivalent project involving the internal struggle over power, resources, and identity. Finally, this research also demonstrates that women migrants are dynamic social actors capable of strategic and independent thinking to achieve prosperity and respect.
Dr. Haley Duschinski (Committee Chair)
Prof. Elizabeth F. Collins (Committee Member)
Dr. Risa Whitson (Committee Member)
178 p.
Cultural Anthropology; Families and Family Life; Gender; Labor Relations; Social Structure; Womens Studies
Indonesia; women migrant workers; agency; life history; migrant labor; resistance; transnationalism

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Nurchayati, N. (2010). Foreign Exchange Heroes or Family Builders? The Life Histories of Three Indonesian Women Migrant Workers [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1289411593

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Nurchayati, Nurchayati. Foreign Exchange Heroes or Family Builders? The Life Histories of Three Indonesian Women Migrant Workers. 2010. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1289411593.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Nurchayati, Nurchayati. "Foreign Exchange Heroes or Family Builders? The Life Histories of Three Indonesian Women Migrant Workers." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1289411593

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1289411593
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© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.