Asset accumulation and transfer for old age: a study on Peruvian and Moroccan migration to Spain

Abstract

Population ageing constitutes a major determinant of contemporary international migration, acting both as a push and pull factor in countries of origin and reception. From a micro-perspective, longevity, economic instability and migration are also affecting personal life as well as family organisation and solidarity. The aim of this paper is to focus on the strategies, in individual and family spheres, that migrants and their loved ones develop to accumulate and transfer assets, in order to respond to the demands of the elderly and counteract the uncertainties of advancing age. To capture this reality we conducted indepth interviews and focus groups with Peruvian and Moroccan migrants in Spain, and with returnees and relatives in the two countries of origin between 2006 and 2010. Both cases demonstrate that country contexts, together with personal experiences and family relationships, determine where to stay, and with whom or with what to support oneself as one grows older. More recently, the economic crisis in Spain that is negatively influencing social and migration policies, reducing migrants' economic gains, and placing new burdens on people's shoulders, is affecting these asset accumulation and transfer activities for old age.

Transnational ageing and the ‘zero generation’: the role of Moroccan migrants’ parents in care circulation

“…For older Moroccan adults, compared to global statistics and even to other developing countries, it is extremely rare for older Moroccans (60 years+) to live alone (6.8% on a national level), or to be placed in retirement homes (ENPA 2006). The placing of the elderly in old-age care facilities is considered a sign of filial abandonment and socially taboo (Escrivá 2013). Therefore, despite a national decrease in family size and some movement towards nuclearisation, the multi-generational household maintains a strong presence in Oujda, as in other parts of the country (HCP-CERED 2009;Soudi 2010).…”

Older Peruvian Migrants’ Capacity and Desire to Send Remittances from Spain

“…Nevertheless, 60‐year old Gloria who takes care of an elderly Spanish woman during nights explains that older people preferred to speak in Catalan. She therefore visits a Catalan language course in her free time in order to improve her job opportunities in the increasingly competitive Spanish elderly care market (Escrivá ).…”

“…A possible explanation could be that many older Peruvian migrants arrived already at an advanced age. In fact, the favorable legal treatment of migrants from former Spanish colonies and rather lax rules for family reunification (Escrivá ) made Spain an attractive destination for older migrants from Latin America (Escrivá and Skinner ).…”

Late-career international migration and reproductive work. A comparison between Peruvian and Ukrainian women in the Southern Europe

“…Secondly, they sought to improve their present and future lifestyles by obtaining more money to spend on consumer goods and to build up some savings Investigaciones Feministas 99 Vol. 7 Núm 1 (2016) 89-113 (Escrivá, 2013). In quite a few cases, husbands were not the main beneficiaries, possibly because the difficult economic conditions had exacerbated pre-existing marital issues concerning gender roles and money management.…”

“…7 Núm 1 (2016) 89-113 migrate to south-west Europe for work purposes, holding the required work permit or not (Vianello, 2009;Solari, 2010;Cvajner, 2011;Marchetti and Venturini, 2013;Escrivá, 2013). These studies reveal that a number of such migrant women are moderately well educated and have already worked for twenty years or more in their own country as technicians and professionals, while others have lower levels of formal education and have been formally or informally employed to do manual work, including domestic chores.…”