Digital mediations in the relationship between hosts and au pairs: social networks as spaces of interaction and regulation in the transnational care market
Author: Carmen Macedo, carmen.p.macedo@gmail.com
Department: Sociology
University: The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Supervisor: Felícia Silva Picanço
Year of completion: In progress
Language of dissertation: Portuguese
Keywords:
Global care chains
, Digital devices
, Care platforms
, Au Pair
Areas of Research:
Migration
, Family Research
, Sociocybernetics
Abstract
This study investigates digital mediations in the relationship between host families and au pairs, with a focus on interactions on social media. The Au Pair program, which promotes cultural exchange and care work, has been significantly impacted by digitalization, influencing the dynamics of relationships between candidates and families, as well as the agreements and tensions surrounding care work. The research aims to understand how these digital interactions affect the program, the negotiations that emerge in this context, and the tensions related to care work that permeate it. The main objectives include understanding digital mediations within global care chains, examining interactions in Facebook and WhatsApp groups, investigating the construction of reputation systems, and analyzing tensions in labor relations. This study adopts a qualitative approach to analyze the social and cultural dynamics in interactions between host families and au pairs in digital groups, such as those found on Facebook and WhatsApp. Data collection will be conducted through non-participant observation in groups with a high number of members and activities, complemented by 50 in-depth interviews with program participants. Interaction analysis will be supported by the Communalytic platform, which maps communication networks and identifies patterns in the relationships between families and au pairs. Additionally, an analysis of the websites and platforms of agencies will be conducted, considering both public information and content exclusive to registered users. Preliminary findings emphasize the relevance of digital platforms in the reproduction of social and gender inequalities, while also providing spaces for negotiation and conflict resolution. This research will contribute to a broader understanding of care dynamics in the globalized context, highlighting the complexities surrounding the experiences of au pairs and their host families.
