Work

Migration and the Gendered Origin of Migrant Networks Among Couples in M exico

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We investigate how the matrilineal vs. patrilineal origin of Mexican couples' migrant networks are associated with the aspirations to migrate and the subsequent migration behavior of each spouse. METHODS: Using longitudinal data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (2002-2005) on 3,923 married couples across 139 municipalities; we estimate multi-level logistic regressions predicting aspirations to migrate to the United States for each spouse and the subsequent migration behavior of the couple in the inter-wave period. RESULTS: The networks of both ego and spouse are associated with U.S. migration aspirations although they matter more for the person from which they originate. Only matrilineal networks predicted a subsequent move to the U.S. for men and women/couples, who were assessed jointly. CONCLUSION: Matrilineal networks are instrumental in the migration process, particularly of the couple. As such, they could prove instrumental in helping understand the migration motivations and dynamics of individuals and families.

Source: Social Science Quarterly

DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2012.00928.x

Authors: Mathew J. Creighton, Fernando Riosmena

Institutions: Universitat Pompeu Fabra, University of Colorado Boulder

Language: English

Topic: Migration and Labor Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Awards: University of Colorado Population Center, The University of Colorado Population Center