Abrego finds that in both the United States and El Salvador, children enjoy greater economic stability when mothers migrate presumably because mothers feel more obligated to send money to their children than fathers despite of wage inequalities among migrant parents (1071-7). Mothers often face greater structural barriers than fathers in sending remittances due to being disadvantaged in the US labour market (1075). In this case, distinction between motherhood and fatherhood needs to be carefully observed. In El Salvador, mothers are expected to willingly sacrifice themselves in the name of their families (1082)6. Fatherhood, on the other hand, is closely tied to “authority, protection, and guidance of the family through participation in the public sphere” (Arriagada). Since mothers are more burdened by moral expectations, they tend to be more consistent and reliable remitters. In addition, migrant mothers are consistent remitters, regardless of their own or their ex-partners’ relationship status, whereas the opposite goes for the fathers (1080). The author concludes mother-away families tend to benefit and be better-off than fatheraway families. To further build on the idea of moral expectation, factor of kinship plays a significant role in shaping experiences of a migrant family. In her study, Olwig suggests that “kinship is freighted with moral entailments” in the form of expectations and obligations that are often burdensome or impossible to fulfill. Kinship can be seen as a significant force that perpetuates gender norms. A Case study of Rukmini, a migrant woman from Sri Lanka and Ramesh and her husband, in Gamburd’s text shows the influence of kin on particular behaviour due to gendered perception of how one “should be”. Rukmini is judged by her extended family based on the kind of gift she gives them (185). In this example, kinship members of migrant families exert social pressures through indirectly requesting a gift because they felt it was the “norm” for breadwinners abroad to provide benefits to people at home without considering the migrant’s vulnerable position as a burdened mother away from her children. Here, Rukmini is living up to the gender ideals of a “man”, and this is further reinforced by the static perception of family members. Another example shows latitudes vol VIII
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