Open AccessShifting Geographical Configurations in Migrant Families: Narratives of Children Reunited with their Mothers in Italy
Author(s) -
Paola Bonizzoni,
Luisa Leonini
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
comparative population studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1869-8999
pISSN - 1869-8980
DOI - 10.12765/cpos-2013-01
Subject(s) - narrative , family reunification , family ties , qualitative research , subject (documents) , face (sociological concept) , gender studies , developmental psychology , demographic economics , immigration , sociology , psychology , geography , genealogy , history , social science , philosophy , linguistics , economics , archaeology , library science , computer science
The article explores the experiences of separation and reunification by children of migrant mothers in Italy by analysing 32 qualitative interviews conducted with adolescents who had rejoined their mothers at different points in their lives. We show that international migration causes children to face multiple shifts in the configuration of their family ties due to the geographical dislocations and re-locations to which these ties are subject. The way in which children interpret and adjust to these changes depends on factors such as the timing of the family migration process and the frequency of transnational family practices, which are affected by more or less abrupt discontinuities in family life after their mothers’ and their own departure.