Internal Migration and the Role of Intergenerational Family Ties and Life Events

Michael J. Thomas,Lars Dommermuth

doi:10.1111/jomf.12678

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThis article examines how the migration behavior of older parents and adult children might be influenced by the geographical configuration of nonresident family networks and the emergence of “linked” life events.BackgroundResearchers have long pointed to the importance of intrahousehold family events as triggers for migration, yet few have detailed how choices over whether, when, and where to migrate are formed with reference to significant others outside of the household.MethodUtilizing geocoded register data for Norway, we identified intergenerational family networks comprising older parents (aged 55+) and their nonresident adult children living 20 km or more apart. We recorded the presence and location of various family ties, the occurrence of several life events, and analyzed their association with the propensity and direction of migration using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsApproximately 40% of all recorded migration events (≥20 km) were directed toward familial locations (i.e., within 10 km of a parent/adult child). The attractiveness of familial locations was strengthened by the colocation of multiple family members and increased with the emergence of life events typically linked to increased support‐needs (e.g., separation, widowhood, and childbirth). Beyond these general patterns, variations existed according to social class, immigrant background, and gender.ConclusionWith the estimated coefficients for nonresident family ties appearing larger than many conventional predictors of migration, we call for far more attention to be paid to the links between kinship networks, care provision, and migration in contemporary society.

Highlights

Rarely focused on migration per se, family sociologists in the United States and Europe have long explored the geographical configuration of nonresident family networks and the value that close geographical proximity can have in facilitating more frequent and better quality contact, care, and support exchange (e.g. Blaauboer, Mulder, & Zorlu, 2011; Bordone, 2009; Hank, 2007; Holmlund, Rainer, & Siedler, 2013; Lawton, Silverstein, & Bengtson, 1994; Mulder & van der Meer, 2009; White, 2004)
The attractiveness of familial locations was strengthened by the colocation of multiple family members and increased with the emergence of life events typically linked to increased support-needs
Taking inspiration from Elder’s “linked lives” perspective, the aim of this article was to identify how the propensity and direction of internal migration varies according to the presence and location of intergenerational family networks and the emergence of “linked” life events

Summary

Objective

This article examines how the migration behavior of older parents and adult children might be influenced by the geographical configuration of nonresident family networks and the emergence of “linked” life events. Results: Approximately 40% of all recorded migration events (≥20 km) were directed toward familial locations (i.e., within 10 km of a parent/adult child). The attractiveness of familial locations was strengthened by the colocation of multiple family members and increased with the emergence of life events typically linked to increased support-needs (e.g., separation, widowhood, and childbirth). Beyond these general patterns, variations existed according to social class, immigrant background, and gender.

Introduction

Background and Hypotheses

Findings

Discussion and Conclusions