Global householding in Pacific Asia

Abstract

The term 'householding' is used to underscore the ways in which creating and sustaining a household is a continuous process of social reproduction that covers all life-cycle stages and extends beyond the family. Householding in Pacific (East and Southeast) Asia is now 'going global' at a very rapid rate as measured by increases in trans-border marriages, international adoption of children, educating children abroad, hiring foreign domestic helpers and retirement migration from higher- to lower-income economies. While global householding is seen as a way of compensating for and improving upon householding solely within territorial boundaries, it meets formidable resistance by governments and societies alike. Trends towards the expansion of the many dimensions of global householding can nonetheless be expected to continue, presenting profound challenges to all societies in the region.