La gestion des émotions dans le cadre du devoir filial

• Main Author: Laura Merla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Université Catholique de Louvain 2010-06-01
• Series: Recherches Sociologiques et Anthropologiques
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/rsa/186

This article explores the emotional dimension of filial dutyin a trans-national context. The emotional dimension here refers to the task of managing emotions, meaning the competencies and efforts needed in managing one’s own emotions as well as those of others in the private sphere. The task of managing emotions is an important dimension in the trans-national care practices that Salvadorian migrants living in Perth, in Western Australia, commit themselves to in order to fulfil their obligations towards their aged parents, remaining in their country of origin. Their task is aimed not only at improving the well being of aged parents, but also at managing events present or future which their remoteness makes particularly painful, like illness or the death of a relative. For the migrant, what is at stake consists in reaffirming his/her identity as a “good” son / “good” daughter who tries as much as possible to fulfil his/her duties towards his/her parents despite the distance.