Social Capital and International Migration: A Test Using Information on Family Networks

Abstract

This article uses a multistate hazard model to test the network hypothesis of social capital theory. The effects of family network ties on individual migration are estimated while controlling for measured and unmeasured conditions that influence migration risks for all family members. Results suggest that social network effects are robust to the introduction of controls for human capital, common household characteristics, and unobserved conditions. Estimates also confirm the ancillary hypothesis, which states that diffuse social capital distributed among community and household members strongly influences the likelihood of out-migration, thus validating social capital theory in general and the network hypothesis in particular. Demonstrating the superiority of one theoretical claim over another is always difficult, and opportunities to conduct critical tests are rare, even in the natural sciences where experimental methods prevail. The network

Considering, planning, and realizing migration in early adulthood. The influence of life-course events and perceived opportunities on leaving the city in Germany

“…The migration of friends and relatives also has a positive effect on realizing a move. This is in line with the results from previous research into the impact of migration networks (Moore 1986;Massey and Espinosa 1997;Lu 1998Lu , 1999Palloni et al 2001;Fang 2006). Our results show that information or assistance from others not only fosters the decision to move but is helpful for putting migration plans into action.…”

“…Perceived opportunity differentials and anticipated life-course events should not have an influence on this last step of the migration process; we expect them only to have an influence on the earlier stages of migration decision-making. Furthermore, unforeseen constraints and facilitators, such as financial, social, and psychological resources, might have an influence on realizing migration, because they hamper or support putting intentions into action (Moore 1986;Massey and Espinosa 1997;Lu 1998Lu , 1999Palloni et al 2001;Fang 2006). …”

The Fragmented Evolution of Racial Integration since the Civil Rights Movement

“…Migrants have typically relied on social networks to find housing and thus looked in traditional enclaves where friends or family already lived (Massey and Espinosa 1997;Palloni et al 2001). These social networks would have led the immigrant group to increase quickly and the existing group-usually but not necessarily whites-to decline (Denton and Massey 1991;Clark 1993;Iceland 2004).…”

Immigration and Construction: Analysis of the Impact of Immigration on Construction Project Costs

“…However, the study and data are not irrelevant. (Gurak and Caces, 1992;Massey and España, 1987;Palloni, et. al., 2001).…”