Navigating the ‘lost at sea, lost at home’ dilemma: work-family self-divergence and ambiguous loss among Taiwanese women seafarers

This study explores the intricate interplay between professional identity and domestic obligations among Taiwanese women seafarers, a token minority in a hyper-masculine industry. Drawing on Feminist Standpoint Theory, the research employs a qualitative triangulation approach, integrating data from a women seafarers’ workshop (N = 20), a ten-day ethnographic shipboard observation, and in-depth narrative interviews. The findings reveal a profound work-family self-divergence, where participants navigate the tension between a rigorous working self on board and a traditional family self ashore. Central to this experience is the phenomenon of ambiguous loss – a psychological state characterized by being physically absent but psychologically present (or vice versa), which exacerbates the relational strain on family ties. The study proposes a gender-modulated loss model to illustrate how structural insularity and gendered expectations intensify these psychological costs. By deconstructing the systemic barriers to career retention, this research offers critical insights into the necessity of gender-responsive maritime policies and enhanced social support systems to mitigate the professional and personal trauma faced by women in seafaring careers.