ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the temporal and spatial changes of the making of gendered social capital. It discusses three key arguments. First, gender norms about women as caregivers and men as breadwinners remained strong in Hong Kong. The gender stereotypes helped female migrants build social capital in their own communities in Hong Kong, but they also constrained them from maintaining cross-border relationships because of the 'bad mother' discourse. Second, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Hong Kong tailored services to respond to the needs of female migrants. This risked excluding male migrants from seeking social support. And third, the mothers-in-law of the female migrants often undermined the migrants' capacity to build social capital because of strong discrimination against Mainlanders in Hong Kong. The chapter introduces the historical and institutional contexts of China-Hong Kong migration. Male and female migrants had some ideas about Hong Kong long before their migration, although the sources of information were quite different. The chapter concludes by suggesting policy recommendations.
