Antje Röder’s research while affiliated with Philipps University of Marburg and other places

This study analyzes and offers a novel perspective on the complex and, at times, contradictory dynamics of class, race, and gender in the context of high-skilled migration by unpacking the significance of losing la muchacha (the maid) in the migratory experiences of Mexican expat wives. When Mexican (upper) middle-class women migrate to Western countries, they are confronted with the loss of extensive domestic support that they had previously taken for granted, leaving them to deal with the domestic burden while their husbands develop their international careers. This not only deepens gendered inequalities within their families but also challenges their middle-class habitus because commanding help has been an essential part of their upbringing and social position. Using grounded theory methodology to analyze data from 37 in-depth interviews, we found that participants responded to this situation by either trying to reproduce the patronal relationship in their new country of residence or — often after many years of living there — by adjusting to what they considered a more “civilized,” “western,” or “European” mind frame, incorporating a lower reliance on domestic help into their understanding of middle-class status. These migrants never explicitly challenged the underlying power structures in terms of gender, race, and class but learned to navigate privileges by adapting racial and social class codes to those of their host countries while mourning the Mexican domestic service paradise.

This article evaluates the use of the popular Mobile Messaging App (MMA) WhatsApp as a way to conduct qualitative research with geographically dispersed samples. Through the use of a case study of Latino expat-wives around the globe, we show how traditional methods of qualitative interviewing were adapted and evolved through the use of this application. Findings suggest that WhatsApp is a valuable tool for conducting qualitative research with specific advantages over other MMAs and VoIPs due to its familiarity amongst the target group and its flexible blending of video, audio, and written forms of communication. Particularly its use on smartphones led to interactions that went beyond regular face-to-face interviews, thus allowing us access normally only gained in ethnography studies. While this can be a gain in terms of building rapport and increase the depth of data collection, it also brings new challenges in terms of ensuring data quality, interpreting non-verbal cues and ensuring high ethical standards.