Understanding International Migration: Social, Cultural and Historical Contexts

Description

Uniquely informed by a sociological perspective, this major new textbook introduces the underlying origins and consequences of international migration, placing individuals within a broader social, cultural and historical context.   This comprehensive introduction analyses international migration and its effects on those who migrate, their families, and their places of origin and destination. Drawing on illustrative examples from around the world, the book covers the major theories concerning the origins of international migration and the manner, degree and consequences of migrants’ incorporation into the societies to which they move. It also includes in-depth discussion of how international migration is relevant to key issues – gender, the family, and religion; the so-called refugee ‘crisis’ in much of the developed world; and offers insights throughout into cutting-edge research from emotions and lifestyle migration to the proliferation of digital communication technologies.   This text expertly offers students the necessary skills to unpack common myths that are used to inform policy and media discourse, including abstract distinctions between ‘refugee’ and ‘economic migrant’, the complex and ambiguous nature of migrant national identity, and that while many richer countries of the world are characterized by a perceived refugee ‘crisis’, it is in fact poorer and developing countries that see the vast majority of the world’s refugees and displaced persons. Preface Acknowledgements Contents List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction Defining, Categorising and Describing International Migration Why Is International Migration an Important Topic for Sociological Study? International Migration in Historical Context Historic Migration and Contemporary Diasporas Migration and Colonialism Slavery and Migration for Indentured Labour Which Features of Contemporary International Migration Are More Novel? Migration, Nations and Borders Globalisation and Migration The Contemporary Migrant Labour Market The Feminisation of International Migration? The Declining Significance of Distance Outline of This Book References Chapter 2: Understanding the Origins of International Migration The Macro Level Migration Policies Global Inequalities and Development (Post-)Colonial Relationships The Micro Level Economic Perspectives The Aspirations/Ability Model Capital and Habitus The Meso Level Social Networks and the Perpetuation of Migration ‘Cultures’ of Migration Limits to the Self-perpetuation of Migration Conclusion: Understanding Migration via the Interaction of Structure and Agency References Chapter 3: Understanding Migrant Incorporation: Assimilation and Multiculturalism Assimilation: Origins, Development and Critique Rethinking Assimilation Inter-group and Intra-group Differences Relational Assimilation: How Immigration Changes the ‘Established’ Population Multiculturalism Comparing Multiculturalism and Assimilation The Lived Experience of Multiculturalism Conclusion References Chapter 4: Migrants’ Associations with Their ‘Homelands’: Transnationalism, Diaspora and Development Transnationalism Social Economic Cultural Political Critiques and Limitations of Transnationalism Diaspora Sub-categorising Diaspora Critiques and Limitations of Diaspora Development Social Remittances Critical Perspectives on the Migration-Development Nexus Conclusion References Chapter 5: Gender and Migration How Does Gender Ideology Affect Women’s Migration Relative to Men’s? How Are Gender Relations Affected by Migration? In What Ways and Why Is the Impact of Migration on Gender Relations Limited? References Chapter 6: Migration and the Family How Might the Family Both Influence and Be Influenced by Migration? Children and Migration Transnational Families Transnational Caregiving Conclusion References Chapter 7: Religion and Migration Religion and Migrant Incorporation Religion as a ‘Bridge’ to Migrant Incorporation?: The USA Religion as a ‘Barrier’ to Migrant Incorporation?: Europe Religion as a ‘Bridge’ and ‘Barrier’ to Migrant Incorporation? Transnational Religious Practices and Structures References Chapter 8: Forced Migration, Refugees and Displacement What Is ‘Forced’ Migration? Sub-categories and Statistical Context Climate-Related Migration Troubling the Distinction Between ‘Forced’ and ‘Economic’ Migration Critically Analysing the Refugee ‘Label’ Relating ‘Forced’ Migration to Other Themes in the Book References Chapter 9: Emerging Themes in International Migration Lifestyle Migration Lifestyle Migration in Social and Historical Context Lifestyle Migration and Social Inequalities Sub-Categories of Lifestyle Migration Privilege and ‘Race’ Locating Lifestyle Migration in the Broader Context of International Migration Emotions and Migration The Significance of Emotions Pre- and Post-Migration Emotions and Transnational Families New Communication Technology and Media The Significance of ICTs and Related Media Pre- and Post-Migration New Media and Diasporas ICTs, Transnational Families and Emotions Conclusion References Chapter 10: Conclusions Inequalities Multiplicity Multidimensional Multilocational Multidirectional A Critical Perspective References Index