Male Migrants Research Articles

Family dynamics, violence and transit migration through Mexico

I explore how violence and uncertainty affect straight migrant families in the context of their transit through Mexico. Based on 15 months’ of multi-situated fieldwork, I argue that there are multiple ways for people to react to migration. While some men challenge the masculine patriarchal stereotypes and become more caring, others attempt to reinforce traditional gender roles. Women become resourceful and try to build networks with other women. Some male migrants react to the loss of ownership of space and the fear of sexual violence in Mexico by attempting to limit women’s contact with others, deciding unilaterally where to go, and trying to isolate the family from the rest of the migrant community. Women are thus pushed into an ‘invisible’ domestic sphere while migrating. The article illustrates how migrating women often find themselves subject to the same types of violence they encountered at home while concurrently experiencing new forms (such as sexual violence) on the road. However, by rejecting the position of women as passive recipients of abuse, I explore how women understand and use their perceived vulnerability to obtain information about the road and support from strangers, as well as to create solidarity with other women who are migrating.

Male Fertility and Internal Migration in Rural and Urban Sub-Saharan Africa

Subnational differences in male fertility within sub-Saharan African countries have not been explored, nor the differences in male fertility according to migration status been sufficiently probed. We study divergences in rural and urban male fertility and investigate the relationship between male fertility and migration across 30 sub-Saharan African countries. We employ 67 Demographic and Health Surveys to estimate completed cohort fertility among men aged 50–64 according to migration status. Overall, we find that urban male fertility has declined faster than rural male fertility, widening the gap between the sectors. Rural-urban migrant men have lower fertility than their rural non-migrant counterparts. Men migrating within the rural sector have similarly high fertility as rural non-migrants, while urban–urban migrant men have even lower fertility than non-migrant urban men. Using country-fixed effects models, we find that among men with at least secondary education, differences in completed cohort fertility by migration status are widest. When we consider the timing of migration in relation to the timing of the birth of the last child, we observe that migrant men are a select group, having around two children less than non-migrant rural men. There is also evidence of adaptation to destination, though to a lesser extent. Furthermore, migration within the rural sector does not seem to be disruptive to fathering. These results indicate that rural-to-urban migration has the potential to delay rural fertility decline, and that urban male fertility is likely to decline further, especially as the proportion of urban-to-urban migration increases.

No going back: COVID-19 disease threat perception and male migrants' willingness to return to work in India

This paper explores the causal link between the likelihood of re-migration to cities and the perceived threat of contracting COVID-19 using novel data on male reverse migrant workers in India. We find that reverse-migrants who believe there is a significant chance of contracting COVID-19 display a significantly lower likelihood of returning to their urban workplaces, regardless of their duration of migration. On the other hand, longer-duration migrants display a lower perceived chance of contracting COVID-19 than shorter-duration migrants. We also contribute to the migration literature by linking behavioural attributes to the decision to migrate. We find that more impatient individuals display a heightened belief regarding contracting COVID-19 and a higher projected likelihood of returning to work. Finally, we find that while both loss and risk-averse individuals have a lower projected likelihood of returning to urban workplaces, only loss-averse individuals perceive that their chance of contracting COVID-19 is lower.

Characterization of 25 new microsatellite markers for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and cross-species amplification in other marine turtle species

The green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, is a migratory species with a strong natal homing behavior leading to a complex population structure worldwide. The species has suffered severe declines in local populations; it is therefore crucial to understand its population dynamics and genetic structure to adopt appropriate management policies. Here, we describe the development of 25 new microsatellite markers specific to C. mydas and suitable for these analyses. They were tested on 107 specimens from French Polynesia. An average allelic diversity of 8 alleles per locus was reported and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.187 to 0.860. Ten loci were significantly deviant from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and 16 loci showed a moderate to high level of linkage disequilibrium (4-22%). The overall Fis was positive (0.034, p-value < 0.001), and sibship analysis revealed 12 half- or full-sibling dyads, suggesting possible inbreeding in this population. Cross-amplification tests were performed on two other marine turtle species, Caretta caretta and Eretmochelys imbricata. All loci successfully amplified on these two species, though 1 to 5 loci were monomorphic. These new markers will not only be relevant for further analyses on the population structure of the green turtle and the two other species, but they will also be invaluable for parentage studies, for which a high number of polymorphic loci are necessary. This can provide important insight into male reproductive behavior and migration, an aspect of sea turtle biology that is of critical importance for the conservation of the species.

A gendered analysis of family, work, social spheres and life satisfaction: The case of highly educated migrants in Hong Kong

Migration is expected to bring higher life satisfaction with better social and economic achievement. While studies on life satisfaction treat migrants mainly as a single homogeneous group, knowledge about highly educated migrants is scant in current migration scholarship. Highly educated migrants may not have the higher life satisfaction because they may also have higher expectations. To complicate matters further, there may be gender differences in the experiences and life satisfaction of highly educated migrants. This study examines the factors associated with levels of life satisfaction among highly educated migrants from a gender perspective. First, we examine whether the level of life satisfaction differs by gender. Second, we explore various factors associated with the life satisfaction of highly educated migrants and whether these factors differ by gender. We examine these relationships using data from a respondent-driven sampling of 2,884 highly educated Mainland Chinese migrants in Hong Kong. Our results indicate that the life satisfaction of female migrants is related to their social networks, whereas the life satisfaction of male migrants is related to economic security.

Male migration and women’s irrigation strategies

Male migration and women’s irrigation strategies

“Life is a Gamble”

This article foregrounds the returns of migration by following young migrant workers to Lebanon and back to subsistence farming communities in western Sudan during a time of revolution and economic crisis in both countries. Their labor and the returns of it connect these two seemingly distinct zones of labor and production in a transregional economy, linking East Africa to the Middle East. In this cross-border economy, the search for work through mobility has become a point of value extraction by brokers and border guards, and at the same time a practice of gendered self-validation for male migrants. In Sudan, migrants and brokers both refer to this practice as a gamble, mughamara. Proposing mughamara as an ethnographic concept of mobility, I show how young migrants use this term to validate themselves through migration. Comparing their experiences to Sudanese migrants who worked in Lebanon decades before them, I show how the youth’s presentation of mobility as a necessary gamble with life reveals an underlying generational experience of crisis and the foreclosure of class mobility. In a political and socioeconomic context where migrant workers often feel devalued in and by labor, mobility is presented as their only way forward—as well as their ticket home.

Factors influencing utilization of communicable disease prevention and treatment education among the floating population: a cross-sectional study in China

BackgroundIn China, communicable diseases (CD) have a negative impact on public health and economic stability. The influx of migrants, who make up a substantial portion of China’s population and continue to rapidly expand, has seriously hampered CD prevention and control, needing special care. This study aimed to identify key factors influencing the utilization of CD prevention and treatment education (CDPTE) among the floating population. We are confident that the findings will highlight obstacles facing CDPTE among the migrants, and guide future development prevention, treatment of CD, and health education services.MethodsA sample of migrants aged 15 years and above in 32 provincial units nationwide in 2018 was recruited by stratified multi-stage proportional to population size sampling (PPS). A structured questionnaire survey was conducted via face-to-face interviews. Subsequently, the Anderson health service utilization model was used as the theoretical framework and SPSS 26.0 statistical software was applied to analyze the data. The statistical description of the current situation of CDPTE acceptance and the chi-square test were used to compare the differences in CDPTE acceptance by different characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze key factors affecting the use of CDPTE among migrants.ResultsA total of 40.1% of the recruited participants reported receiving education on CD prevention and treatment, primarily delivered through traditional transmission media. Multilevel logistic regression results revealed that male migrants, aged 30–49 years, unmarried, with higher educational attainment, an average monthly household income of CNY 7,500-9,999 (or US$1,176-1,568), working more than 40 h per week, flowing into the Central and Western regions, migrated in the province, self-rated health, contracted family doctors and those with health records were more likely to receive CDPTE (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur findings revealed unsatisfactory acceptance of education on CD prevention and treatment among migrants, implying that health education should be strengthened further. Publicity of relevant policies and works should be strengthened and specific interventions should be developed for key regions as well as vulnerable groups to enhance CDPTE. More financial support should also be provided to improve the quality of health education.

Women, migration, decent work and vulnerabilities in Africa: an investigative analysis

This study investigated women, migration, decent work and vulnerabilities in Africa. Essentially, it is on record that for the last few years more female migrants have been migrating independently for work, education and as heads of households. Despite these improvements, female migrants may still face stronger discrimination, are more vulnerable to mistreatment, and can experience double discrimination as both migrants and as women in their host country in comparison to male migrants. Nonetheless, male migrants are also exposed to vulnerabilities in the migration processes. For example, records have it that every day, women across Libya who have been subjected to forced marriages, sexual abuse, and other dire situations, leave their home countries for the prospect of a better life and with longing for Europe’s safety, they are willing to face an equally perilous route ahead, with the constant risk of being returned to Libyan detention centres, where they are abused, starved, and tortured (Palmucci, 2021). It is based on this that this study was carried out using investigative analysis of women victims who are presently returnees to their home country (Nigeria). Through identified women returnees from some of these countries, most especially Libya, 15 women returnees interacted to share their experiences while outside the country for greener pastures. These 15 women returnees were able to link the authors of this study to other 29 women returnees to Nigeria in the last three to two years.

Young migrant men managing risk and seeking protection in a small town in Southern Uganda

Young migrants in resource-constrained settings face multiple challenges when they move away from home for work and try to make their way in a new place. In Uganda, with a growing youthful population increasing numbers of young people are leaving home to look for opportunities in urban areas, often facing a precarious existence as they try to make money. Using data from in-depth interviews we investigate the lived experience of precarity of 20 young men who had recently migrated to a small town in south-west Uganda. We adopt a case study approach to look in-depth at the experience of three of the young men, showing how they engage in a continual evaluation of risk in their day to day lives, as they face multiple challenges related to their insecure employment and poor access to health services. We found that the risks that the young men are willing to take to maximise their limited opportunities changed over time. Our findings provide valuable insights into the gendered risks faced by young male migrants and illustrate the ways in which young migrants, many of whom may only have travelled a relatively short distance from home, face risks and challenges to their health and wellbeing, and need to be recognised as a population in need of attention and support.

Feminization of Pre-Migration Process of Male Migration: Changing Agency of Women in Rural Bangladesh

Feminization of Pre-Migration Process of Male Migration: Changing Agency of Women in Rural Bangladesh

Leela Gulati. In the Absence of their Men: The Impact of Male Migration on Women. New Delhi: Sage Publications. 1993. x+174 pp. Hardback. Indian Rs 200.00.

Among the neighbouring countries of South and South-East Asia who responded to the demand for labour following the oil price hike in the Middle East in 1973, India had sent out an estimated 75600 workers as migrants to the Middle East by 1987. Of these, 30100 workers had migrated from Kerala alone (Appendix I on p. 147 ofthis book shows). Gulati's book sketches the profiles of ten such households. The book is a simple and direct narration of the effects on the women left behind on account of the absence of the men of their households who went to work in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait from the mid-seventies. The analysis is based primarily on the biographies of the wives of ten migrants. The consequences of migration are assessed with reference to other family-members of the migrant as well, particularly women other than the wife (i.e., mostly the mothers and sisters).

Do gender dynamics in intra-household decision making shift with male migration? Evidence from rice-farming households in Eastern India

This paper unpacks the complex relationship between migration of men and the decision making power of the women who “stay behind” in Bihar, Eastern India. We use mixed methods research design to assess whether women perceive a shift in decision making “authority” between different members in households where men migrate and examine the subjective meanings of these shifts. Using a retrospective survey, we map the extent to which women report shifts in decision making “authority” after the migration of male members. Decision making is examined for various activities classified into four domains: agricultural practices, labor allocation, machinery and purchase of productive assets, and household expenditure and activities. Overall, patterns indicate a nominal change in the proportional distribution of perceived household decision authority for all categories and shift toward joint decision making (by wife and husband) emerging as an important trajectory. Using multinomial regression and interpretative analysis of qualitative findings, the paper sheds light on the role of age, family type, household and migrant characteristics in shaping the direction of shifts, and limiting the transfer of meaningful bargaining power to women. The paper makes a case that the transformation of the patriarchal habitus requires a more substantial transformation of livelihood capitals.

Introduction: Fertility and Social Inequalities in Migrant Populations: a Look at the Roles of Selection, Context of Reception, and Employment

This paper is the introduction to the Special Issue on “Fertility and social inequalities in migrant populations.” The Special Issue contains twelve empirical papers that deal with both international migrants and internal migrants, both women and men, both older migrant populations spanning several generations as well as recent immigrant groups, such as refugees, and include analyses of both behavior and intentions. The data used comprise macro indicators and individual-level data as well as qualitative material. Regional contexts include classical immigration countries in Europe and Oceania as well as relatively recent destinations. The papers draw on several comparative perspectives—migrants at destination, emigrants and stayers at origin, migrants with different numbers of children upon migration, and different migrant generations—to address three large questions. Six papers explore the role of time and sequencing in migrant fertility, in relation to both period effects and sequencing of births in the life course, as well as the role selection into migration plays in female and male migrants’ fertility behavior. Four papers focus into how regional variation in the receiving contexts shapes fertility behavior, highlighting the role of migrant type, human capital, and social capital. Two papers look at how childbearing is associated with different degrees of economic assimilation, i.e., maternal employment. Overall, this Special Issue demonstrates the large heterogeneity in fertility among migrant and ethnic minority groups. Social inequalities shape fertility differentials, which in turn influence subsequent life courses of migrants and ethnic minority group members. Future research on migrant assimilation should pay more attention to variation in demographic behavior.

Transregional spouses, parents and children: How gender and family shape return migration in the French overseas

AbstractThis paper explores the role of migrants' family dynamics over the life cycle on their decisions to return focusing on three dimensions: relationship status, children and intergenerational solidarities. It brings a unique contribution to migration studies by investigating whether these mechanisms differ for male and female migrants. Combining two surveys (Migration Family Ageing and Trajectories and Origins) collected in the origin and destination regions, we study return behaviours of migrants born in the French Overseas departments (DOM) moving from metropolitan France back to their DOM of birth. Contrasting with traditional research which tends to restrict the analysis of family considerations to female migrants, our findings show that family experiences affect return migrations for both men and women, yet in different ways. While partnering, breaking‐up and having children affect the returns of both men and women, only female migrants are more likely to return when their parent(s) live in the DOM. This could draw back to a gendered distribution of family roles and responsibilities, but also to gendered networks with stronger ties between female migrants and their parents.

Probability Model Based on Zero Truncation of Himanshu Distribution and Their Applications

In this paper we have developed a probability model to study the distribution of the number of male migrants from households and patterns of child mortality through zero truncated Himanshu distribution (ZTHD). The parameter of the proposed model is estimated by method of moment and method of maximum likelihood and its suitability is tested by fitting to observed migration data,collected from various surveys.

‘City as Home’: Conducting walking interviews as biographical method with migrant men in Cork

This paper builds on the growing interest in using walking interviews and visual methods to understand stories of place-making in migration. Walking offers a mobile way of being in the space that combines and connects our sense of self to objects, spaces and people who inhabit them. In this paper, I am using the recent approach in walking methods developed by O’Neill and Roberts (2020) called the Walking Interview as Biographical Method (WIBM hereafter) to discuss my experiences of conducting walking interviews with young male migrants in Cork, Ireland. The paper explores how ‘city as home’ is understood from a female researcher's perspective of or when doing research with male participants, and approaches WIBM from four perspectives: WIBM as temporal, WIBM as embodied, WIBM as spatial and WIBM's tacit mode. The paper's contribution is to detail the potential of WIBM's modes as a method of place-making in urban settings among migrant groups.

An inflated probability model for the adult male migrants

The objective of this paper is to develop an Inflated Probability Model on the basis of Himanshu Distribution for the Adult Male Migrants. Estimation technique based on Method of Maximum likelihood have been proposed to estimate the parameters of the Model. The Model fitted to observed data found a better approximation at the survey area and draw some conclusion.

The Cappadocian “Songs of the Expatriate’s Wife”

The value of folk songs for understanding the emotional impact of major events on ordinary people is indisputable. This article traces the varied impact on women left behind due to male migration from Cappadocia to big cities of opportunity in the late Ottoman Empire through a specific category of songs: the songs of "the expatriate's wife". While illuminating the stories of culturally muted Orthodox Christian women in Cappadocia through the testimonies found in the Oral Tradition Archive of the Centre for Asia Minor Studies, this study carries out a study of emotional archeology with the songs found in the same archive.

Marriage chances and international migration from Fujian to the US, 1978–2000

This paper explores the effect of migration on marriage for Fujianese international migrants to the US during a period of mass China–US migration, 1978–2000. It sheds light on significant gender differences in terms of the impact of migration on marriage. Data from the Chinese International Migration Project on Chinese international migration to the US was used, with detailed information on respondents’ migration and marriage history. Discrete-time event history techniques are employed allowing for correlation across migration and marriage at both the individual and household levels. Results show that migration decreased men’s marriage chances, while it only temporarily disrupted those of women. The negative effect of migration on marriage for men could be due to the differing educational levels for male and female migrants, which makes assortative matching less likely at destination, especially for lower educated men. The results also show that migrants have a higher probability of marriage than nonmigrants.