Abstract
ABSTRACT This article analyses the narratives of young people in the Gambia and of Afghan migrants in Turkey on the themes of migration and Europe as a place of destination. Based on extensive focus group and interview data, we show that these narratives (1) have a high degree of similarities across different contexts and (2) appear incongruent with, and largely unaffected by, the EU’s messages of deterrence in information campaigns. We explain this misalignment by referring to a classic sociological distinction between impressions ‘given’ and those ‘given off’. When the EU seeks to give an ‘impression’ in third countries (such as to be an unattractive place for irregular migrants), their messages compete with positive images of Europe provided through a myriad of other channels and information sources. To a large extent, perceptions of Europe among migrant communities are defined by positive impressions ‘given off’ through Europe’s history as a destination area and social media accounts of individual ‘success stories’ of diaspora members. The social and material rewards associated with migration further inform migrants’ narratives, as do the circumstances of both groups, which often push them towards leaving regardless of the risks this step involves.
Published Version (
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
