I am just a sister: a field study on sister as mother role from Guangdong, China

This study aimed to explore <i>sister-as-mother</i> (<i>jieximuzhi</i>) roles in families after the implementation of China's <i>universal two-child</i> (<i>quanmianerhai</i>) and <i>three-child policies</i> (<i>saihaizhengce</i>). By conducting in-depth interviews with 10 sisters from Guangdong Province who fit the sister-motherhood profile, this study investigated their motivations for taking on maternal duties, the characteristics of sister-motherhood roles, and the impact of these roles on the sisters. The results revealed that in families with two or more children, sisters passively assume mother-like responsibilities primarily due to biological age differences and parental neglect, as well as their personal initiative to a certain extent. Additionally, the impact of sister-motherhood roles on sisters includes aspects such as time pressure, financial strain, and increased family intimacy. This study elucidated the phenomenon of sister-motherhood roles that emerge with changes in family structure in China while recognizing the diversity of women's roles within the family, appreciating the challenges faced by sisters in sister-motherhood roles, and providing insights into family labor division and education models.