STRANGER IN THE HOME : THE FILIPINA MAID AND THE SINGAPORE FAMILY

Abstract

The maid with a child in tow is a ubiquitous sight in Singapore today. In fact it is so common that no one gives it a second thought. Foreign maids are now part of the social landscape and very much taken for granted. However, this phenomenon is very important sociologically. The large numbers alone warrant study on their impact on contemporary Singapore. But more significant is the closeness of the maid to us, for her place is in the very heart of society - in the Singapore family. This study attempts to examine two main areas of the maid's experience in Singapore. The first is the maid's role in childcare. Being the caretaker of the child, a dose bond develops that may affect family dynamics. This is especially true of the relationship between the child and the mother, for the maid performs the role that traditionally belongs to the latter. The second major concern is the degree to which the maid is a part of the family. The live-in maid is constantly with the members of the household. She shares in the private spheres of family life and she sees what is not apparent to the public eye. In this respect she is very close to the family. Yet she can never really be considered a true part of it, due to her outsider status. This social distance, reinforced by differences in language and physical appearance, serve as visible reminders that the maid is an alien element in the family. This study discusses the implications of having a stranger in the Singaporean household by examining the maid's personal relationship with the family, and the nature of her place in it.