Customer Reviews

Maid to Order in Hong Kong: An Ethnography of Filipina Workers

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Quite informative and historical but written like a thesis so it is quite disjointed and is not a fun or casual read. I was glad to have the historical information just the same.

A fascinating window into the lives of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong. Details the many facets of exploitation, abuse and discrimination experienced by these maids. A fine balance between portraying maids as victims as well as agents in their own right, adopting a rather Foucauldian theme of discipline or oppression begetting resistance. Constable's work shuns naive generalizations of maids as passive victims (as many other works have), although I felt that domestic workers' acts of resistance and agency could be interrogated in greater scope and detail. Also provides a well-rounded picture by examining the geopolitics that give rise to demand and supply of domestic workers in Asia and Hong Kong in particular. A thorough and well-researched book synthesizing themes of race, class and gender!

A devastating critique of the capitalist world system, an anthropological study drawn from first-hand case studies, statistics, and the theoretical works of Gramsci, Bourdieu, and Foucault among others. Absolutely compelling reading.

Let me begin by confessing my bias. I met Dr. Constable at a book signing and have since maintained a warm e-mail friendship. Having said that, I think any one who is interested in the culture of the Philippines, the culture of Hong Kong, the Filipino Diaspora, or the multi-variate roles of women in the emerging cultures of Asia will find a great deal of interesting material, conveyed thoughtfully and with sensitivity.

This is an excellent account of the intelligent Filipina workers in Hong Kong who have a laser sharp perspective on Hong Kong people at home. I wish the author had specified the employers as Hong Kong Chinese instead of as Chinese because there is a big difference. I am the daughter of someone who would not make a good employer and living in America, there was no one to take it out on except the children. The immigrant experience has never been told from this awful behind closed doors group. I would have enjoyed more anecdotes. I think the OFWs could publish more books with anecdotes themselves. This is nothing like the experience depicted in the Singapore film "The Maid." Hong Kongers emotionally vent through shopping and verbal abuse. The culture is not similar to Mainland China or to Taiwan. The environment is highly toxic. Enter the Filipinas who are themselves by nature sophisticated, culturally more broadminded and Catholic. They see everything and they see right through their employers.

Personal knowledge of this topic allows me to say this book is excellent...interesting and the truth. A great work!