RECIPROCITY OR EXr^ITATION? MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS IN THE CHAIGING ECONOMY

This paper examines the anthropological concepts of reciprocity and altruism in close kinship relations, particularly the mother-daughter relationship. It is argued that Malay mothers iiinipulate cultural values to ensure that their daughters, who are engaged in factory work, comply with obligations to support their households ad discharge the debts owed to mothers for their "milk." Where this str.'tegy fails, magic may be used in attempts to ensure the "protection" of daughters as well as the flow of goods and money from them. Thi; is contrary -oSahlin's model of exchange, *hich argues that the expectation of a direct return for the suckling of children is unseemly (1974:165). For peasant Malays undergoing di;fficult transitions in the development process, material returns "for the milk" are expected.