New Digital Paradigm and Motherhood in Migratory Contexts

Mónica  Ortiz Cobo; Renzo Ismael Jeri Levano; José García Martín

doi:10.15503/jecs2024.1.141.159

Authors

Mónica Ortiz Cobo Department of Sociology, Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology, University of Granada, Calle Rector López Argüeta s/n, 18001 Granada, Spain
Renzo Ismael Jeri Levano Institute for Migration Research, University of Granada, Calle Zamora, Parcela 111-112, 18151, Granada, Spain
José García Martín Department of Sociology, Faculty of Education, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.1.141.159

Keywords:

migrant mothers, education, mother-child relatioship, technology, transnational communication

Abstract

Aim. The present study aims to explore the maternal role of migrants in pre-digital and digital contexts. For this purpose, the study analyses the relationships among migrant mothers in digital and pre-digital contexts and the impact of their mother-child relationship.

Methods. Virtual ethnography has enabled the analysis of various heterogeneous moments and contexts, as well as a virtual exploration of the social networks of the twenty-four participants in this study. Meanwhile, multi-sited ethnography has allowed access to and the utilization of multiple interconnected spaces in migratory contexts.

Results. The inclusion of digital technology, the use of social networks, and the polymedia environment enable migrant mothers to challenge geographical and temporal barriers and devise strategies that allow them to maintain their mother-child relationship through ubiquitous and real-time transnational communication. This distinguishes them from migrant mothers of the pre-digital era, whose maternal roles were threatened by physical distance and the limited availability, at that time, of communication tools.

Conclusion. A new digital paradigm has enabled the construction of digital motherhood in migratory contexts, representing a significant evolution in parental dynamics affecting 21st-century mothers, often referred to as "digital natives". This technological shift has altered the traditional conception of motherhood and long-distance caregiving. Changes in family relationships redefine the migratory experience and motherhood, as well as influence processes of identity, belonging, and adaptation in virtual contexts.

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Author Biographies

Mónica Ortiz Cobo, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology, University of Granada, Calle Rector López Argüeta s/n, 18001 Granada, Spain

PhD with international mention in Sociocultural Anthropology, Professor in
the Department of Sociology at the University of Granada (UGR, Spain). She
is a member of the Institute of Migration of the UGR, author of more than
100 scientific publications, including articles and books, chapters, and
has been Principal Investigator of several research projects in the field
of migration funded by the public administration in the Spanish context, as
well as invited researcher in foreign research centers and reviewer in
international scientific journals of impact.
Renzo Ismael Jeri Levano, Institute for Migration Research, University of Granada, Calle Zamora, Parcela 111-112, 18151, Granada, Spain

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Master in International relations,
PhD student in the doctoral program in Migration Studies at the University
of Granada (Spain), author and co-author of book chapters in Q1 Scholarly
Publishers Indicators (SPI).
José García Martín, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Education, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain

PhD in Philosophy from the University of Malaga (outstanding cum laude and extraordinary doctorate prize). Professor in the Department of Sociology at University of Granada. He is president of the Sociedad Hispánica de Amigos de Kierkegaard (he has been its promoter and creator) and Director of the Permanent Seminar "Individual and Society in Kierkegaard" at the University of Granada. He is editor, author, and co-author of more than 60 publications, including articles, books, and book chapters. He has collaborated and participated (in some cases as principal investigator) in more than 5 international research projects and educational innovation projects. He is also a member of editorial or scientific boards of several international journals, as well as a guest researcher in foreign research centres.

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