Abstract
Instigated by the global media, the imagination of alternative contexts and lifestyles is an increasingly (re)current social practice. In the article I analyse this practice among Brazilian women who are involved in intimate relationships with European tourists in the seaside neighbourhood of Ponta Negra (Natal, Northeast Brazil). Bearing in mind that the imagination is inseparable from certain political economy frameworks, I try to understand where the imaginary of Europe produced by these women come from and how it manifests itself; to what extent do these imaginary shapes predisposition and agency for transatlantic migration; and how previous representations are calibrated and resignified when mobilities for the European continent occur. The analysis is based on an ethnographic fieldwork experience, in which participant observation and semi-directed interviews constituted the main means of empirical research.
Highlights
Instigada pelos media globais, a imaginação de contextos e estilos de vida alternativos é uma prática social cada vez maiscorrente
In the article I analyse this practice among Brazilian women who are involved in intimate relationships with European tourists in the seaside neighbourhood of Ponta Negra (Natal, Northeast Brazil)
Bearing in mind that the imagination is inseparable from certain political economy frameworks, I try to understand where the imaginary of Europe produced by these women come from and how it manifests itself; to what extent do these imaginary shapes predisposition and agency for transatlantic migration; and how previous representations are calibrated and resignified when mobilities for the European continent occur
Summary
A imaginação de contextos e estilos de vida alternativos é uma prática social cada vez mais (re)corrente. No artigo analiso esta prática entre mulheres brasileiras que se envolvem em relações de intimidade com turistas europeus no bairro balnear de Ponta Negra (Natal, Nordeste brasileiro). Sem esquecer que a imaginação é indissociável de determinados quadros de economia política, procuro compreender de onde procedem e como se manifestam os imaginários da Europa produzidos por estas mulheres; em que medida estes imaginários configuram predisposição e agência para a migração transatlântica; e como as representações prévias são calibradas e ressignificadas quando ocorrem mobilidades para o continente europeu. A análise é alicerçada numa experiência de terreno etnográfica, no âmbito da qual a observação participante e as entrevistas semidirigidas constituíram procedimentos centrais de pesquisa empírica
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
