Live-in or live-out? A study of domestic worker empowerment in modern day China

Drawing upon in-depth interview, this article examines the transition process of fifteen female domestic workers in Beijing from live-in to live-out status. It indicates, it is out of their aspiration for more autonomy and control over work, these workers decides to move out. After overcoming the difficulties brought by live-out status, these workers treat their movement as a progress in terms of enhanced working conditions. The transition suggests a more equal employer-employee relationship. Besides, the social network, in particular, the peers’ network, serves as an important determinant in their upward mobility. However, instead of showing pure agency, the whole process actually describes a mixed picture of structure and agency, as there are also structural and individual factors involved.