Remittances are portrayed as a representation of of love between those that still remain in China and those that have migrated to Korea. There are more opportunities for work with higher pay in Korea than there are in China but it cost too much for both people in a relationship to go to Korea so one usually ends up staying in China. There is also strong legislation both Korea and China that keeps the people who migrate to Korea from freely traveling back and forth between the too countries which can result in long periods of time without contact between the couples. If the spouse that is in Korea continues to send remittances to their family in China then the "love" still exists but if they stop sending remittances then the "love" no longer exists. Botoli are the members of the family that still remain in China waiting for their loved ones to return someday. The botoli are in charge of managing the money that they are making and the remittances being sent to them. Since the botoli have not made most of the money they have they must make sure that the investments they make will ensure financial stability or there is a chance that their spouse in Korea may leave them.
Remittances serve the purpose of keeping couples and families together as they are separated long-term from their spouses and loved ones in the migration from China to Korea. Since it is an expensive move, many families are split as single members move to seek better job opportunities and higher pay in Korea. However, laws put in place make it difficult for families to actively move back and forth, even after the wage increase from Korea. Remittances keep the family structure together by creating a stand in system of "love" in the way of money and transactions. It creates an expectation that keeps the couple from divorce as would possibly happen as a result of the long periods of separation. The job of the botoli - those who are "left behind" in China - is to manage the remittances in the family structure. The botoli ensure that there is a two sided dependence in the relationship - as much as the one spouse must be very careful as to not abandon the other spouse left at home, the spouse at home must do well to properly handle the funds to make the most out of their partner's money, using it to pay bills but also make investments to make more money for the couple.
Remittances and social ties intertwine in a number of ways in the Korean Chinese town of Yanbian. Many individuals choose to leave China in search of better economic prospects, and send remittances to their families at home to sustain them during their long separation. This move is seen as an inevitable life phase which must be done in order to move on to the next stage of life. The money which is sent back to China is seen as a representation of love. Waiting for remittances to arrive and for one day their spouse to return is an attempt to realize a future together. In this way remittances act not only as a representation of a bond between a couple, but also of trust and devotion. It generates a stronger commitment to their relationship. The "botoli" are a particularly vulnerable group, dependent upon the remittances that their partners send. Their work is a kind of affective labor, distinguishable from the wage labor present in the market economy. Affective labor is expressed through a sense of care for the partner and the relationship itself. During their time waiting for their spouse's return they manage the money that their partner sends. It can be uncertain how much money is necessary before a spouse returns, or how much time it will take to earn enough.
Social ties and remittances are intertwined in this article by positioning them both as a form of gift-giving and as different ways in which distant couples and families, and even large extended social networks, can give social aid and mutual support. The Botoli, for instance, show reciprocation for the migrant by careful management of the family finances and the remittances in particular, whether that be saving or investing the wealth earned for future stability. Additionally, the partners often set time limits for the waiting that they do, in order to strengthen their unique, imagined future together when they will not be far apart.
As above, the botoli's core work is to manage the remittances that they recieve, putting the money into useful investment or saving all of it for the future. The terms of this management are 'paid for' by a promise of eventual return, with some partnerships setting a semi-specific time limit, such as three years in one case, or leaving it open ended, until they have finally made 'enough' to come home.
Within this article, remittances are characterized as a symbol of love between the batoli in the migrant. Due to China and South Korea's strict migration and boarder laws, it makes it increasingly difficult for the batoli and their migrated partner to be able to see and communicate with one another. These remittances are not only viewed as forms of love, but also as a symbol of structure. The payments that are sent back to the batolis keep the family together and allow for the children and family back home to thrive. To cease sending remittances would surely have disastrous impacts on the family back home. While Being a batoli can often be a very lonely lifestyle, certain social ties are still a product of this mode of living. The author of the article found and interviewed several batolis who have formed their own social groups as a way of coping with their loneliness. However, these social groups still do not fulfill the longing many of these people feel to see their significant other once again. Batoli "work" reminds me of what would be historically described as house work. While the migrant member of the family is off increasing the families income, the batoli is responsible for managing the remittances, family accounts, and raising the children. Rather than working for a wage like their counterparts, Batolis even out the scale needed for their family's success and well being. Without the Batoli taking care of the family, the migrant worker has no one back home to manage their income and distribute to their family, while without the migrant worker, the batoli has no income to readily sustain their family.
In the early 1990's, remittances became an important part of Chinese Korean relationships as an effect of Chinese economic reform. While one spouse waits at home in China, the in-flow of remittances remains a sign that their working partner in Korea is still faithful and caring. It has become somewhat of a social norm for spouses to spend an extended time apart in order to achieve economic stability or prosperity. The article even declared this trend somewhat "inevitable". However, the impact of the separation is detrimental to the waiting spouse, who is left lonely and anxious as to whether their partner will ever return and still be in love. However, if successful, the temporary split will lead to a happy reunion eventually and a life ahead with "financial safety and binding commitment". During the time apart, remittances play the role of being a main form of affection and loyalty. The article even quotes a waiting husband, Mr. Ho who hopes that "as long as money is being sent back to China, there might be love." "Botoli work" refers to the labor behind waiting for a family member. There is profit to be earned by sacrificing love and committing time to managing remittances. In many ways, this role has changed the expectations of relationships. Now, remittances play a key role in keeping the bond of a relationship strong. Only because of the family member who fulfills the botoli work is the "circulation of care" able to continue.
Remittances are portrayed as a representation of of love between those that still remain in China and those that have migrated to Korea. There are more opportunities for work with higher pay in Korea than there are in China but it cost too much for both people in a relationship to go to Korea so one usually ends up staying in China. There is also strong legislation both Korea and China that keeps the people who migrate to Korea from freely traveling back and forth between the too countries which can result in long periods of time without contact between the couples. If the spouse that is in Korea continues to send remittances to their family in China then the "love" still exists but if they stop sending remittances then the "love" no longer exists. Botoli are the members of the family that still remain in China waiting for their loved ones to return someday. The botoli are in charge of managing the money that they are making and the remittances being sent to them. Since the botoli have not made most of the money they have they must make sure that the investments they make will ensure financial stability or there is a chance that their spouse in Korea may leave them.
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DeleteRemittances serve the purpose of keeping couples and families together as they are separated long-term from their spouses and loved ones in the migration from China to Korea. Since it is an expensive move, many families are split as single members move to seek better job opportunities and higher pay in Korea. However, laws put in place make it difficult for families to actively move back and forth, even after the wage increase from Korea. Remittances keep the family structure together by creating a stand in system of "love" in the way of money and transactions. It creates an expectation that keeps the couple from divorce as would possibly happen as a result of the long periods of separation.
The job of the botoli - those who are "left behind" in China - is to manage the remittances in the family structure. The botoli ensure that there is a two sided dependence in the relationship - as much as the one spouse must be very careful as to not abandon the other spouse left at home, the spouse at home must do well to properly handle the funds to make the most out of their partner's money, using it to pay bills but also make investments to make more money for the couple.
Remittances and social ties intertwine in a number of ways in the Korean Chinese town of Yanbian. Many individuals choose to leave China in search of better economic prospects, and send remittances to their families at home to sustain them during their long separation. This move is seen as an inevitable life phase which must be done in order to move on to the next stage of life. The money which is sent back to China is seen as a representation of love. Waiting for remittances to arrive and for one day their spouse to return is an attempt to realize a future together. In this way remittances act not only as a representation of a bond between a couple, but also of trust and devotion. It generates a stronger commitment to their relationship.
ReplyDeleteThe "botoli" are a particularly vulnerable group, dependent upon the remittances that their partners send. Their work is a kind of affective labor, distinguishable from the wage labor present in the market economy. Affective labor is expressed through a sense of care for the partner and the relationship itself. During their time waiting for their spouse's return they manage the money that their partner sends. It can be uncertain how much money is necessary before a spouse returns, or how much time it will take to earn enough.
Social ties and remittances are intertwined in this article by positioning them both as a form of gift-giving and as different ways in which distant couples and families, and even large extended social networks, can give social aid and mutual support. The Botoli, for instance, show reciprocation for the migrant by careful management of the family finances and the remittances in particular, whether that be saving or investing the wealth earned for future stability. Additionally, the partners often set time limits for the waiting that they do, in order to strengthen their unique, imagined future together when they will not be far apart.
ReplyDeleteAs above, the botoli's core work is to manage the remittances that they recieve, putting the money into useful investment or saving all of it for the future. The terms of this management are 'paid for' by a promise of eventual return, with some partnerships setting a semi-specific time limit, such as three years in one case, or leaving it open ended, until they have finally made 'enough' to come home.
Within this article, remittances are characterized as a symbol of love between the batoli in the migrant. Due to China and South Korea's strict migration and boarder laws, it makes it increasingly difficult for the batoli and their migrated partner to be able to see and communicate with one another. These remittances are not only viewed as forms of love, but also as a symbol of structure. The payments that are sent back to the batolis keep the family together and allow for the children and family back home to thrive. To cease sending remittances would surely have disastrous impacts on the family back home. While Being a batoli can often be a very lonely lifestyle, certain social ties are still a product of this mode of living. The author of the article found and interviewed several batolis who have formed their own social groups as a way of coping with their loneliness. However, these social groups still do not fulfill the longing many of these people feel to see their significant other once again.
ReplyDeleteBatoli "work" reminds me of what would be historically described as house work. While the migrant member of the family is off increasing the families income, the batoli is responsible for managing the remittances, family accounts, and raising the children. Rather than working for a wage like their counterparts, Batolis even out the scale needed for their family's success and well being. Without the Batoli taking care of the family, the migrant worker has no one back home to manage their income and distribute to their family, while without the migrant worker, the batoli has no income to readily sustain their family.
In the early 1990's, remittances became an important part of Chinese Korean relationships as an effect of Chinese economic reform. While one spouse waits at home in China, the in-flow of remittances remains a sign that their working partner in Korea is still faithful and caring. It has become somewhat of a social norm for spouses to spend an extended time apart in order to achieve economic stability or prosperity. The article even declared this trend somewhat "inevitable". However, the impact of the separation is detrimental to the waiting spouse, who is left lonely and anxious as to whether their partner will ever return and still be in love. However, if successful, the temporary split will lead to a happy reunion eventually and a life ahead with "financial safety and binding commitment". During the time apart, remittances play the role of being a main form of affection and loyalty. The article even quotes a waiting husband, Mr. Ho who hopes that "as long as money is being sent back to China, there might be love."
ReplyDelete"Botoli work" refers to the labor behind waiting for a family member. There is profit to be earned by sacrificing love and committing time to managing remittances. In many ways, this role has changed the expectations of relationships. Now, remittances play a key role in keeping the bond of a relationship strong. Only because of the family member who fulfills the botoli work is the "circulation of care" able to continue.