A new survey from WorldRemit, a digital remittances company within the Zepz Group, found that 44 percent of migrant workers wish that Mother’s Day was celebrated on the same day around the world—pointing to the cultural difficulties faced by those who live in a different country to their mother.
Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates across the world, ranging from the second Sunday of February in Norway, to the 14th of May in the Philippines and even to the 15th of October in Malawi.
The multi-country survey was conducted in February with 3,000 participants to understand how migrants celebrate their relationship with their mothers.
Multiple Mother’s Days
Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates across the world. The most popular dates being the second Sunday in May (such as in the United States of America, Australia, and Philippines) and the fourth week of Lent in March (such as in the United Kingdom and Nigeria).
The survey found that while 95 percent of respondents celebrate Mother’s Day, nearly a quarter (23 percent) agree that it is easy to forget when Mother’s Day is celebrated in their family’s country of origin.
While the majority of respondents (44%) celebrate Mother’s Day on the day their country of residence celebrates, over a third (35%) of respondents noted that they celebrate Mother’s Day twice a year; recognising the celebratory date in their family’s country of origin, in addition to the country they currently reside in.
44% of respondents agree that they wish that Mother’s Day was celebrated on the same day around the world.
The Impact of Mothers
Mothers and mother figures play a significant role in many people’s lives. Often, they act as a confidante, advisor, friend, and caretaker in one. When asked to describe their mother in three words, top responses from participants included “trustworthy,” “devoted,” “strong,” and “selfless.”
WorldRemit’s survey found that 97% of respondents agree that their mother has been influential in shaping them as a person. In addition, 97% of respondents agree that their mother had helped them to get to where they are in their lives currently. Finally, 96% of respondents agree that their mother supports them in their life choices.
Gifting on Mother’s Day
According to the WorldRemit survey, the most popular way to celebrate Mother’s Day is by sending a gift, which is how 72 percent of respondents would mark the day. Other popular celebrations include eating out and visiting family.
Flowers were revealed as the most popular gift choice, with 63 percent citing that they planned on giving them on Mother’s Day. On the more practical side, 57 percent of participants said that they would send their mother money instead.
This Mother’s Day, WorldRemit encourages all migrant workers across the globe to celebrate their mothers or mother figures—be it through a small gift or a written note of appreciation to say “thank you.”
