Research shows how families can still be “together” while living apart
As many can imagine, being away from home and your loved ones for long periods of time can be frustrating. Over time, technologies have developed to allow us to connect with one another via video chats and instant messaging. While these options are available to mobile users, it is evident that there are several accessibility issues impacting the way a user may interact with these features.
A 2018 study conducted by Earvin Charles B. Cabalquinto examined the technology deficit and lack of mobile resources surrounding the lives of Filipino immigrants in Australia, and their core family in the Philippines.
Cabalquinto’s main focus pertains to how families carry on with important rituals such as rites of passage, anniversaries, holiday gatherings and more casual family celebrations while including members who may not be physically present in the moment. As explained in the study, a families main source of connectivity in these times are set up through Skype calls, allowing for distant members to partake in heartwarming moments.
The main conflict with both the prospect of mobile tech and the family member’s alternate choice of traveling home, is cost. Cabalquinto explains that network capital is unevenly distributed and access to technology may be inhibited by disability, social class, age and gender. Lack of access can also be attributed to the level of technological infrastructure between urban and rural areas in the Philippines.
For participants of the study, many family members abroad reported that while their families are able to connect via Skype and exchange in interactions via instant messaging and other social platforms such as Facebook, they often experience connectivity issues during times of high-volume celebrations such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve. This deficit causes Skype calls to lag or drop and can discourage both parties from interacting online.
Despite these technical difficulties, many of the participants shared that they coordinate earlier “meeting times” for major holidays to avoid issues. Additionally, families use social outlets such as Facebook to provide updates on milestones and other family gatherings because the platform allows users to both share photos and tag one another so they may be notified of new posts.
One subject described a time in which he collaborated with his siblings to create a collage containing photos of each of them as well as flags from their respective residences and a phrase wishing their mother a happy birthday when they couldn’t be around to celebrate. In a similar vein, other subjects took to social media sharing announcements such as graduations which helped them to coordinate with absent family members to send money or gifts along with their congratulations.
As Calbaquinto concludes, it is evident that these features are helpful in continuing to foster connections for families. Despite this, it is important to highlight the struggles that social class forces onto these individuals and push for advocacy and equality in the future.
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