Mothering fathers! Fathers’ “care” identity in mother absent Filipino transnational families

This research looks into the implications of the feminization of international labor migration from the perspective of the gaps, crisis, and erosion it creates within the global care chain in the Philippines. It seeks to understand how carers left behind particularly the males define this new “care” or reproductive role amidst the expected conventions of what men and women actually do within the family. In defining this new care role an understanding of whether this has an effect on the father carers’ masculinity is also explored. It was found that the conventions of care that was being done by the fathers left behind is parallel to what is expected to be provided for the maintenance of the home and in raising children. In terms of effect on their masculinity, unlike previous studies that concluded that men re-define their masculinity, it seems from the respondents covered masculinity is redefined as a widening or broadening of their conception of what is masculine opening and connecting it to the “good provider” role that is also expected from them.