Who Goes Next? The Gendered Expansion of Mexican and Senegalese Migrant Sibling Networks in Space and Time

Abstract

The migration literature shows that individuals whose siblings have migrated abroad are more likely to migrate, yet we know little about sibling migrant networks. We use MMP and MAFE-Senegal survey data to compare migration patterns in two very disparate contexts (Mexico and Senegal) in an attempt to assess the scope, manner, and generalizability of sibling network migration patterns. Our results show that while Senegalese families are likely to have one international migrant, Mexican families are likely to send two or more members abroad. Sibling migrations from Mexico fall closer together in time than do those from Senegal, suggesting joint sibling migration. Also, while Mexican sibling networks did not seem to contribute to the expansion of Mexican migrant destinations, Senegalese sibling networks did contribute (slightly) to the expansion of Senegalese migration. Sibling networks in both settings contributed considerably to the feminization of migration.

The networked character of migration and transnationalism

“…Hoang (2011) observed that men use larger acquaintanceship networks to inform and support migration, whereas women build on family networks (cf. Riosmena & Liu, 2019), also for social protection. A further insight from relational approaches is that the “network effects” that are confirmed by social network analysis are in part a result of individual agency.…”

Building social capital in a new home country. A closer look into the predictors of bonding and bridging relationships of migrant populations at different education levels

“…In addition, gender is a highly relevant, although often ignored, element in this research field. Evidence indicates that migrant men tend to use broader networks of acquaintances for example when looking for support, while migrant women rely more heavily on immediate and extended family (Hoang 2011;Riosmena and Liu 2019;Lin 2000). Also, being married and having children contribute positively to more frequent interactions with new and existing social contacts (e.g.…”

Unveiling the Role of Rural Social Networks in Facilitating Rural-Urban Migration and the Survival of Self-Employed Youth in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania

“…Social networks related to blood connections are vital in terms of facilitating migration among youth. Sibling ties that brothers and sisters have on each other stand out as being useful in facilitating the subsequent migrations of their siblings (Massey & Espinosa 1997;Massey & Aysa-Lastra 2011;Liu 2013in Riosmena & Liu 2019. Individuals may be more likely to draw on social capital emanating from sibling ties since high expectations are common on brothers and sisters to help one another in times of need.…”

“…Individuals may be more likely to draw on social capital emanating from sibling ties since high expectations are common on brothers and sisters to help one another in times of need. As such, the norm continues to exist in most, if not all, societies, especially in low-and middleincome nations (Cicirelli, 1994in Riosmena & Liu, 2019. Indeed, new migrants often choose destinations based on the presence of ties and, especially, in the expectation that some social ties will be more valuable than others in assisting during a moment of need (Sue et al, 2019).…”