Can M. Aybek, Johannes Huinink, Raya Muttarak (Eds): Spatial Mobility, Migration, and Living Arrangements

Abstract

This volume addresses various kinds of spatial mobility (commuting, residential mobility, migration) and their connections with living arrangements. The topics covered are quite diverse. Next to an introduction by the editors, there are chapters on marriage migration and transnational couples (Aybek, Strassburger and Yuksel-Kaptanoglu), partner choice of second-generation migrants (Topgul), fertility in marriages between natives and marriage migrants (Glowsky), intensive commuting (Viry and Vincent-Geslin), the impacts of spatial mobility on partnership quality (Feldhaus and Schlegel), and on union dissolution (Kley), living arrangements of immigrants (Arpino, Muttarak, and Vitali), the perceived consequences of leaving home for labor market prospects (Luetzelberger), postseparation families (Schier), and residential mobility in later life (Milewski and Loth). In terms of appeal to a readership, this diversity can be seen as both a strength and a weakness. My guess is that many researchers will find chapters in the book that fit their research interests, but only few will find many that do or will be tempted to read the book from the first to the last page. To start with a critical note, I was surprised about the lack of both depth and broadness in the conceptualization of spatial mobility in the Introduction. The authors distinguish between circular mobility (by which they mean everyday life mobility and commuting) and relocation (residential mobility and migration). But they fail to acknowledge that these are only just a few of many more forms of spatial mobility. Most geographers would use a much wider definition of circular mobility that includes tourism, circular, temporary and seasonal migration. The Introduction