Quiting India: the Anglo-Indian Culture of Migration

Andrews, Robyn

doi:10.11157/sites-vol4iss2id73

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In the simplest terms, researchers have described migration aspirations as referring to the belief that migration is preferable to staying [11,12]. In contexts as diverse as Mexico [13], India [14], or Senegal [15], among others, a 'culture of migration ' [16] has taken root, glorifying a livelihood centered on migration over locally oriented, sedentary lifestyles and aspirations (like farming or schooling). This trend is largely bolstered by the dearth of income-generating opportunities within local economies.…”

Section: Culture Of Migration and Involuntary Immobilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Well-being amid (im)mobility struggles: Youth’s experiences in Casamance, Senegal

Debray,

Petit,

Ruyssen

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Large numbers of young people worldwide, especially in the Global South, wish to migrate but lack the capacity to do so, with potentially detrimental consequences for their well-being and mental health. Termed ‘involuntary immobility’, this phenomenon is numerically larger than migration, but remains for now a largely underexplored area of research. Focusing on young Senegalese living in Casamance, this paper contributes to the limited literature on the implications of immobility for subjective well-being. It does so by (i) considering different degrees and types of involuntary immobility and their intersections, (ii) laying out the implications of (interacting) social and spatial immobilities for well-being with particular attention to youth’s agency in navigating a lack of capabilities, and (iii) by accounting for heterogenous experiences taking a gendered approach. Methods For this study, 35 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18- to 39-year-olds in Ziguinchor region, recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was employed on verbatim transcriptions of audio-recorded interviews. Results Our study reveals a nuanced reality where aspirations to (temporarily) move abroad coexist with aspirations to stay in Casamance. Participants’ life aspirations and overarching projects clash, however, both with a lack of capabilities to move abroad and to enact these locally. This pervasive immobility decreases life satisfaction and generates negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, discouragement, and distress. Despite these obstacles, our findings also underscore the agency and resourcefulness displayed by the youth as they navigate their limited control over life choices and paths. Conclusions Involuntary spatial immobility exacerbates the dominant experience of social immobility, magnifying its effect on youth’s well-being, revealing a previously unacknowledged phenomenon. Our findings further emphasize the pressing need for a more cohesive alignment between migration policies and information campaigns on one hand and the real experiences and challenges encountered by their intended audience on the other.

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Section: Culture Of Migration and Involuntary Immobilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Well-being amid (im)mobility struggles: Youth’s experiences in Casamance, Senegal

Debray,

Petit,

Ruyssen

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Some scholars even speak about “the culture of migration,” referring to a long and embedded tradition of migration. This desire to migrate is especially evident among younger generations (Andrews, 2007; Rutten and Verstappen, 2014). My informants also felt some pressure to migrate, especially from friends and family members who already worked overseas.…”

Section: Migration Experiences and Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indian middling migrants in Wrocław: A study of migration experiences and strategies

Jaskułowski

2017

Asian and Pacific Migration Journal

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This article analyzes the migration experiences and strategies of Indian middle-class professionals living in Wrocław, Poland. Drawing on qualitative research, I explore the question of how and why they move to Wrocław. I argue that they see Wrocław not so much as a city of interest in Poland and as their chosen destination, but rather as an entry point to the developed world. For Indian migrants, moving to Wrocław is primarily a strategy for increasing social status and gaining new experiences that may be understood not only in terms of individualization processes but also in the context of building cultural capital.

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“…While the initial destination was often the UK, the destinations for on-going migration has been to Australia, England, Canada, and to a lesser extent, New Zealand. So many Anglo-Indians have now left India that it is likely that there are more living out of India than there are in India (Wright 1970, Andrews 2007 Genesis of world reunions World Reunions are relatively recently conceived of with the first being held in London in 1989, more than 40 years after Anglo-Indians first began to leave India at the start of something akin to an exodus. After settling in other, mainly Commonwealth cities, they formed clubs and social organisations, held dances and frequent get-togethers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%