Page 93 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies A Burmese woman’s migration and exclusion

condition improved rapidly, “After I got married, I got At first, the abandonment devastated her. “I cry. One
better… I recovered.” day, two days, three days, I cry, cry. I feel like people
Aye’s narrative reveals how access is the defining think your husband left you, so they are gonna think it
concern of refugee and migrant life. Her trajectory was is my fault.” But after this initial shock, she experienced
shaped not by a linear path to integration but by successive something transformative. “And after that – no. I am free
negotiations: leaving school, moving abroad, working right now.” Her realization echoed across her life: from
under exploitative conditions, and entering a strategic childhood confinement to labor restrictions in Malaysia,
marriage. These decisions were not purely personal; and now, to full autonomy. “When I lived with my parents,
they were shaped by the interplay of national policy, no outside… when I was in Malaysia, we cannot go out
gendered responsibility, and bodily vulnerability. Her after 9 p.m.… after getting married, 24 h stay home… So, I
story underscores that survival and dignity for migrant got my freedom. I was so happy.”
women often depend not on formal rights or recognition, With this freedom, Aye mobilized her agency. She
but on contextual, improvised, and high-risk strategies to turned to a local church for housing support and drew
maintain access to protection, income, and health. from her savings to care for her children. When her
3.3. Reclaiming agency through access: A new children returned to school, she sought work and found
chapter of freedom and purpose a position as a teaching assistant at an NGO supporting
refugee children. This job gave her not only income but
Aye’s journey in the United States highlights the ongoing also a sense of belonging and a safe environment for her
efforts of women to gain meaningful access to work, children. “I was so happy,” she reflected. “They helped me.”
independence, safety, education, and a voice in society
to achieve a sense of belonging. Her story illustrates that Still, her new life was filled with complex challenges.
even after migrating to another country, the gendered As a single mother, Aye had to leave her young
constraints of the country of origin often persist within children at home alone while she worked, which led to
the household. Confronted with external societal barriers significant safety risks. This concern was echoed by other
and internal gendered expectations, it is ultimately access participants in the focus group, many of whom were
to employment opportunities that provides women with a parents limited to low-wage jobs with long hours, leaving
path to reclaim their identity and independence. them unable to care for their children after school. Aye
described a frightening incident involving her child
In 2011, Aye migrated to the United States. Initially, the being home alone, “One day, my son used the microwave
migration to the United States seemed to offer stability. for instant noodles… and maybe he did not pour water.
She gave birth to two children and became a housewife, Smoke came out… the neighbor asked, ‘Where is your
adhering to her husband’s wishes. Yet, she felt confined and mom?’” Incidents like this forced Aye to reflect deeply
disconnected. “I could not speak or understand English,” on the difficulty of balancing parenting and employment
she recalled, “so I could not see my future.” When her on her own.
husband proposed that she work while he stayed home,
Aye eagerly accepted, finding purpose in factory work. But In 2020, after 2 years of her husband’s leaving, he
this shift was temporary; when he tired of domestic life, contacted her about returning. “He called me again and
she was expected to return to the home. Still, the period again,” Aye said. Though hesitant, she agreed, not from
of work ignited something in her: a sense of possibility dependence, but for her children’s safety. She explained,
through independence, not submission. “I did not want him, but my children need somebody.”
His return was on new terms: no longer did he expect
Their marriage reflected a deeper cultural conflict,
which comes from her country of origin. Aye, raised in obedience, and Aye continued to make her own decisions.
Her narrative reflected a clear shift in power, “Because I
a city with a lineage of independent women, challenged got freedom, right?” she said. “Now I can do what I want.”
her husband’s rural, patriarchal expectations. “I told my
husband, you should marry a countryside girl because Aye obtained her citizenship in 2015, despite gaining
they listen to whatever you say… Look at me, not that way.” legal citizenship, Aye’s sense of identity in the United
Her resistance, especially around cooking and obedience, States remained unsettled. She described herself not as
eventually led to a rupture. One day, after an argument, her a resident, but a “guest.” “Honestly, I am like a guest…
husband left. “I said, go ahead,” she recalled. “And I did not If I had grown up here, I would have been familiar
know… I went to the market. When I came back, he was no with the culture.” She praised the country for its safety
more at home. He was gone, really gone.” and support, “I have always appreciated Americans…

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 87 https://doi.org/10.36922/IJPS025160060