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Changes in the Well-Being of Foreign Language Speaking Migrant Mothers Living in Finland during the Initial Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Eveliina Heino

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Hanna Kara

    (Department of Education and Welfare Studies, Åbo Akademi University, 65100 Vaasa, Finland)

  • Camilla Nordberg

    (Department of Education and Welfare Studies, Åbo Akademi University, 65100 Vaasa, Finland)

Abstract

This article examines changes in the well-being of foreign-language-speaking migrant mothers living in Finland during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. Our data consist of 73 mothers’ responses to a qualitative survey conducted between 18 April and 26 May 2020. In our analysis, we employ the division of well-being into three dimensions: having, loving, and being. According to our results, the participating mothers experienced dramatic changes, such as an increased burden of care and domestic work, difficulties helping children with remote studies, health concerns, a lack of free time, isolation from Finnish society and the inability to travel to their country of origin. Family-centered activities helped the mothers to cope in this situation but also caused strains. Based on our findings, we discuss the vulnerabilities these mothers experienced in relation to language, migration background and gender roles.

Suggested Citation

  • Eveliina Heino & Hanna Kara & Camilla Nordberg, 2024. "Changes in the Well-Being of Foreign Language Speaking Migrant Mothers Living in Finland during the Initial Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:1:p:42-:d:1315671
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Myriam Chatot & Julie Landour & Ariane Pailhé & for the EpiCOV team, 2023. "Socioeconomic differences and the gender division of labor during the COVID‐19 lockdown: Insights from France using a mixed method," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 1296-1316, July.
    2. Caitlyn Collins & Liana Christin Landivar & Leah Ruppanner & William J. Scarborough, 2021. "COVID‐19 and the gender gap in work hours," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S1), pages 101-112, January.
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