How migrants celebrated Mother’s Day

„ A NEW survey by WorldRemit, the leading digital remittances company, has found that 44% of migrants wish that Mother’s Day was celebrated on the same day around the world — pointing to cultural difficulties faced by those who live in a different country to their mothers.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates across the world, ranging from the second Sunday of February in Norway to October 15 in Malawi.

The multi-country survey was conducted in February with 3 000 participants.

Its focus was on understanding how migrants celebrate their relationship with their mothers.

Mother’s Day timings

The most popular Mother’s Day celebrations dates are the fourth week of Lent in March such as in the United Kingdom and Nigeria — and the second Sunday in May (such as in Zimbabwe, the United States of America, South Africa and Australia).

The survey found that while 95% of respondents celebrate Mother’s Day, nearly a quarter 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 of respondents (35%) 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.

Forty-four percent of the respondents agreed that they wish that Mother’s Day was celebrated on the same day around the world.

The impact of mothers

WorldRemit knows that mothers and motherly figures serve as the golden thread through many of our lives, often shapeshifting as our confidante, advisor, friend and caretaker.

WorldRemit’s survey found that 97% of respondents agreed that their mothers had been influential in shaping them as a person. In addition, 97% of respondents agreed that their mother had helped them to get to where they are in their lives currently.

Finally, 96% of respondents agreed that their mothers support them in their life choices.

When asked to describe their mothers in three words, responses from participants included “trustworthy”, “devoted”, “strong”, and “selfless”.

Gifting on Mother’s Day

WorldRemit’s survey revealed that the most popular way to celebrate Mother’s Day was by sending gifts, which 72% of respondents stated was how they would mark the day.

Other popular celebrations included eating out and a family visit.

Flowers were revealed as the most popular gift of choice, with 63% of respondents citing that they planned on giving flowers on Mother’s Day. About 57% of participants noted that they would be sending their mothers money on Mother’s Day.

This Mother’s Day, WorldRemit encouraged people to celebrate their mothers or motherly figures; perhaps by sending them a small gift, or written note of appreciation to say “thank you”.

To all mothers in Zimbabwe and around the world, WorldRemit thanks you for making a world of difference.

International money senders aged 18 and above voluntarily responded to a 22-question survey in February about the role of their mother in their lives and their remittance behaviours. The survey took place on the Attest platform and resulted in 3 000 responses from people who celebrate Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States of America.

Those who responded that they do not celebrate Mother’s Day were exited from the survey to create a viable participant base. No quotas, such as gender or age, were set for this survey so results are not intended to be nationally representative.