{"product_id":"desire-obligation-and-familial-love-mothers-daughters","title":"Desire, Obligation, and Familial Love: Mothers, Daughters","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Desire, Obligation, and Familial Love, anthropologist Makiko Nishitani offers a focused ethnographic account for readers interested in migration, kinship and gender. The book is best for academics, students and practitioners who want a grounded, nuanced view of how Tongan migrant mothers and their adult daughters use gifts, money and information to sustain relationships across distance. Its single biggest strength is the close, long-term fieldwork that reframes migration debates by showing how everyday communication technologies and obligations are negotiated within living kinship networks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong-term ethnography:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on sustained fieldwork among Tongan migrant mothers and daughters in Australia to provide rich, empirical insight into family practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on communication technology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines how phones and other means of contact shape exchanges of information, gifts and emotional support across transnational ties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntergenerational perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highlights the perspectives of both migrant mothers and daughters born outside Tonga to show relational continuities and changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChallenge to conventional narratives:\u003c\/strong\u003e Argues against simple transitions from tradition to modernity or obligation to autonomy, offering a more complex account of migration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttention to practical exchanges:\u003c\/strong\u003e Details how money and material gifts circulate within kin and kin-like networks to sustain obligation and desire.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at scholars and graduate students in anthropology, migration studies, Pacific studies and gender studies who need a close empirical study of transnational family life. It will also suit policy researchers and community workers seeking a deeper cultural understanding of remittances, caregiving and communication practices among Tongan diaspora families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders looking for a general history of Tonga, a broad survey of migration theory without ethnographic depth, or a quick popular read should look elsewhere; this work rewards readers prepared for careful qualitative analysis and sustained attention to everyday practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eProvides vivid, grounded examples from long-term fieldwork that illuminate how kin networks operate across borders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIntegrates discussion of technology, money and gifts to show the intertwined nature of material and emotional obligations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHighlights intergenerational dynamics by including both migrant mothers and daughters born in Australia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFocused ethnographic scope means readers wanting broad comparative claims beyond the Tongan diaspora may find the coverage narrow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesire, Obligation, and Familial Love: Mothers, Daughters, and Communication Technology in the Tongan Diaspora\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMakiko Nishitani\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResearch basis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLong-term ethnographic fieldwork among Tongan migrant mothers and adult daughters in Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKinship, migration, communication technology, gifts, remittances\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerspectives included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMigrant mothers and daughters born outside Tonga\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQualitative, ethnographic analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesire, Obligation, and Familial Love is a valuable, carefully argued ethnography for anyone who needs a nuanced, practice-focused account of how kinship, technology and remittances shape transnational family life. Its close empirical detail and intergenerational lens make it particularly useful for scholars and practitioners; while not a broad comparative survey, it offers excellent value as a focused case study that challenges simplistic migration narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book rely on quantitative data?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is based on qualitative, long-term ethnographic fieldwork rather than quantitative analysis, focusing on everyday interactions and narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho are the primary voices in the study?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe study centers on Tongan migrant mothers and their adult daughters born outside Tonga, presenting both perspectives to show intergenerational negotiation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for non-academic readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile accessible in tone, the book is best suited to readers comfortable with ethnographic detail and academic discussion rather than casual popular reading.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nishitani","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48203915296987,"sku":"082488177X","price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/819uC_OuQ5L._SL1500.jpg?v=1770220489","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/desire-obligation-and-familial-love-mothers-daughters","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}