Resisting Stigma: Migrant Mothers and the Identity Empowerment of Mixed-Ethnic Children

Huy Huynh Le Anh

doi:10.71514/jssal/2025.183

Authors

Huy Huynh Le Anh Ph.D. Program in Asia-Pacific Regional Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7198-7020

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71514/jssal/2025.183

Keywords:

Vietnamese marriage migrant mothers, mothering, dual identity, mixed-ethnic children, language learning.

Abstract

Vietnamese marriage migrant mothers in Taiwan face stigma, often seen as economically dependent and culturally inferior. This study examines how they counteract stigma and empower their mixed-race children through affirmation, cultural transmission, and self-development. Based on interviews with 36 mothers, the findings show they boost their mixed-ethnic children's self-esteem, preserve heritage through language, and pursue education to challenge stereotypes. Despite Taiwan's New Southbound Policy promoting multiculturalism, structural discrimination persists. The study calls for policies that enhance migrant mothers' social mobility, support bilingual education, and promote inclusive narratives of Southeast Asian heritage in Taiwan’s multicultural discourse.

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