Chinese women in Spain: Social capital and its impact on productive and reproductive strategies

Abstract

The major part of the Chinese migration flow to Spain is of a family nature, with most migrants coming from Zhejiang province. In the 1990s, however, new Chinese migration flows with different motivations and social capital arrived in Spain. In this regard, not all Chinese women have a family network in the context of migration and the absence or presence of such a network determines much of their productive and reproductive strategies. In addition, the family/work combination explains whether Chinese women settle in the country through the transnationalization of activities in the reproductive sphere with the help of the extended family residing in Spain, or by hiring local domestic work. The analysis of the transnational and local social capital of Chinese women provides insight into their family and business practices, and their relationship with Spanish society.