“Now I Know Norway from Within”: &lt;i&gt;Boundary Work and Belonging in Au Pairs’ Narratives&lt;/i&gt;

This article draws upon ethnographic fieldwork on Slovak au pairs in the United Kingdom during 2004 and 2005. Connecting the macro level of regulations (i.e. immigration rules regarding au pairs, the visa regime and access to the labour market) with the micro level of relationships within host households, I examine the migration experiences of Slovak au pairs during the time of EU enlargement. I argue that the abolishment of the UK visas and unlimited access to the UK labour market affected the working conditions of au pairs and enabled Slovak citizens to make au pairing part of larger migration projects. The experience of au pairs demonstrates that when considering the role of migration status in the experience of paid domestic workers, we have to consider the wider context of being a migrant, not merely the particular visa regime.

Section: Eu Enlargement and Free Access To The British Labour Marketmentioning

confidence: 99%

EU Enlargement and Au Pairing in the United Kingdom: The experiences and migratory strategies of Slovak au pairs

Búriková

2016

“…The present-day German-speaking au pairs belong to such a group of traditional au pairs; as well-educated young people from the Global North, they set out to spend a limited time abroad, the so-called 'gap year' (Arnett 2007). Accordingly, their dreams of America, that is, their hopes of what they wish to achieve in the receiving country are of a different fabric than those of au pairs from post-socialist countries (Sekeráková Búriková 2016, Rohde-Abuba 2016, and Tkach 2016. The so-called 'new au pairs' from the Global South, especially the Philippines (Dalgas 2016), strive for better economic status, class improvement and often follow long-term migration goals (e.g., Rohde 2014;Tkach 2014).…”

Section: Traditional Au Pairs Traditional Migration Dreams?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“America is the Dream of So Many Things”: Images and experiences of German speaking au pairs in the United States

Geserick

2016

The United States has long been an attractive destination for travellers, as well as long-and short-term migrants, such as students, seasonal workers, or au pairs. In a qualitative longitudinal study of German and Austrian au pairs, I have tried to analyse the image they have of the receiving country, how these images change over time and what they have in common. Using Moscovici's concept of figurative kernel, I suggest that all images share the 'grandness' as an underlying, historically stable, higher-order unit of thought. Positive aspects of this grandness are manifested in the American landmarks of 'big shape' and negative aspects concern assertions like America's 'great power claims'.

“This is the Life I Want”: Au pairs’ perceptions of life in the global city

Cox¹,

Busch

2016

London is an important destination for au pairs, who, like many other young migrants, are attracted by the social, cultural and economic opportunities the city offers. London also has strong demand for au pair labour, shaped by childcare regimes and working practices that have made in-home, privatised childcare popular with many families and a migration regime, including the deregulation of au pairing, which has funnelled migrants into low-paid domestic and caring work. This article examines the effects of au pairs' perceptions of London. We argue that in the context of deregulation, au pairs aim to use the opportunities that London affords in order to develop networks and skills that they will use for future migration and careers, trading good conditions for the chance to be in the capital. Thus, positive perceptions of London work in host families' favour as au pairs will accept poor pay and conditions in order to be located in London.