Migrant Women’s Social Support in a Metropolis of China

Abstract

Social support and gender are important issues for understanding Chinese internal migrants. This study attempts to explore the social support conditions and needs of Chinese internal migrant women. Fifteen migrant women living in Beijing were interviewed about the types and sources of social support they received and needed. They reported receiving various types of support mainly from informal ties, but rarely from formal support networks. They identified the needs for social support clustered on instrumental, informational, and emotional support. Moreover, although they reported willingness to seek formal support, they expressed concerns for the credibility and availability of possible formal support.