Motherhood in Migration: Strategies of Migrant Women from Central Asia

Abstract

The article analyzes the migration experiences of mothers who leave Central Asian countries to work in Russia. Based on interviews, the article examines situations where women are forced to leave their children in the care of relatives at home, as well as those where they are able to bring their children to Russia. I conclude that the main problem for living together with children is not only the low earnings of migrants and the inability to rent separate housing at the beginning of life in Russia. An important factor is the limited access to social institutions, such as kindergartens, or problems with enrolling a migrant child in school. When planning life in another country with a child, it is also important for a woman whether she will be able to take care of her child with her irregular work schedule and ensure a safe stay for her child in Russia.