From Matsu to Taiwan: An Initial Report of Migration, Kinship and Intimacy

Abstract

This research focuses on a migrant family who had moved from the Matsu Islands to Taiwan's main island from 1970 to 1990. Five Matsu migrants from one family have participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their family history of migration and their individual development of relationships with family members and romantic partners. This study investigates their kinship networking utilizing the idea of chain migration, the intergenerational relationships between parents and children of the migrants' families, and the second-generation children's mate selection regarding migration background in Taiwan. This study's findings suggest that their Matsu kinship relationship has significant functions with regard to the family's movement, employment, and settlement in Taiwan. The family members needed their relatives' assistance in regard to information about transportation and job-seeking before migration. Later together they were able to share a house and food with more relatives, especially with those who came for work and not yet moved their home to Taiwan. As to the intergenerational relationship among the interviewed family members and their kin, the second-generation migrants have shown relatively strong responsibility to their parents with frequent visiting and warm bonding. They built their social relationships in Taiwan through education and employment. None of the interviewed children from the original family married to partners with the same Matsu background. With perspectives of family and migration studies, this research provides a preliminary analysis of Matsu migrants' kinship, family, and intimate relationships after migrating to Taiwan.