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Moving across (Im)mobility categories: the importance of values, family and adaptation for migration

Rodriguez-Pena, Naiara (2022) Moving across (Im)mobility categories: the importance of values, family and adaptation for migration. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 49 (3). pp. 618-635. ISSN 1369-183X. E-ISSN 1469-9451. (doi:10.1080/1369183x.2022.2064839) (KAR id:100190)

Abstract

The aspiration-capability framework introduces four (im)mobility categories–mobility, voluntary immobility, involuntary immobility and acquiescent immobility–which have received considerable attention. However, few studies have examined how people move across such categories. Drawing on the migration experiences of 17 self-identified Latin American gay individuals, this paper shows how prospective migrants can be pushed into a state of involuntary immobility by their families, and how they can adapt to overcome immobility and fulfil their migration aspirations. The article finds, firstly, that heteronormative values and familial expectations regarding sexuality shape the possibility of mobilizing the family’s economic, informative and emotional resources. Secondly, I discuss the adaptation strategies that individuals use to surpass involuntary immobility. To understand movement across (im)mobility categories, as well as the role of social boundaries for migration, this paper differentiates between individual and collective migration aspirations and capabilities. In doing so, the article introduces an approach to explore how interactions between social groups and their individual group members shape the (im)mobility projects of the latter.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/1369183x.2022.2064839
Uncontrolled keywords: involuntary immobility; migration aspirations; migration capabilities; adaptation; sexuality
Subjects: P Language and Literature
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of English
SWORD Depositor: JISC Publications Router
Depositing User: JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited: 23 Feb 2023 11:48 UTC
Last Modified: 24 Feb 2023 09:03 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/100190 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Rodriguez-Pena, Naiara.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7928-0978
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