INTERCULTURAL MARRIAGES AND FILIPINO WOMEN’S BUSINESSES IN THE NETHERLANDS

Abstract

Unlike other immigrant groups, Filipino immigrants do not, generally speaking, show any great inclination towards business; nevertheless, the fact that they frequently form part of bicultural marriages provides us with the opportunity to tackle issues that until now have virtually not been touched on explicitly in studies on immigrants’ small businesses. This study focuses particularly on the role of marital relations and the influence of structures that make up identity (such as gender, marital status and stage of life) on motivations, objectives and activity in relation to the business. Based on personal field work, the author explores this role of Filipino women married to Dutchmen and shows how, in addition to the personal aspirations of immigrants, their integration into a bicultural context has an impact (both direct and indirect) on the rebuilding of their identity, the shaping of their interests and, therefore, on the nature of their activities in the field of business.

Keywords

• The Netherlands
• Phillipines
• immigration
• diaspora
• women entrepreneurs
• ethnic businesswomen