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Family, obligations, and migration

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  • Annett Fleischer

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Demografische Forschung)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of family and kin networks on the individual decision to migrate. The study is based on qualitative ethnographic data which was collected during a field research in Cameroon in spring 2005, showing the considerable impact of the extended family on the migrant’s choice to leave Cameroon for Germany. Migrants do not solely move for their own achievements and purposes, but rather as significant members of their entire immediate family. The individual is part of an informal reciprocal system of exchange which is based on trust and has social consequences, and includes duties and responsibilities for both sides.

Suggested Citation

  • Annett Fleischer, 2007. "Family, obligations, and migration," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 16(13), pages 413-440.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:16:y:2007:i:13
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2007.16.13
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stark, Oded & Lucas, Robert E B, 1988. "Migration, Remittances, and the Family," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 36(3), pages 465-481, April.
    2. Hendrik Dalen & George Groenewold & Jeannette Schoorl, 2005. "Out of Africa: what drives the pressure to emigrate?," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 18(4), pages 741-778, November.
    3. Gertrud Schrieder & Beatrice Knerr, 2000. "Labour Migration as a Social Security Mechanism for Smallholder Households in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Cameroon," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(2), pages 223-236.
    4. Timothy J. Hatton & Jeffrey G. Williamson, 2003. "Demographic and Economic Pressure on Emigration out of Africa," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 105(3), pages 465-486, September.
    5. Klaus F. Zimmermann, 1996. "European Migration: Push and Pull," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 19(1-2), pages 95-128, April.
    6. Massey, Douglas S., 2005. "Worlds in Motion: Understanding International Migration at the End of the Millennium," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199282760.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bertranna Muruthi & Kimberly Watkins & Megan McCoy & James R. Muruthi & Felisters J. Kiprono, 2017. ""I Feel Happy that I Can be Useful to Others": Preliminary Study of East African Women and Their Remittance Behavior," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 315-326, September.
    3. Yabiku, Scott T. & Agadjanian, Victor & Cau, Boaventura, 2012. "Labor migration and child mortality in Mozambique," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(12), pages 2530-2538.
    4. Presca Wanki & Ilse Derluyn & Ine Lietaert, 2023. "The Geopolitics of the Family: Negotiating Return and its Impact on the Reintegration of Cameroonian Returnees," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 521-538, March.
    5. Laura Bernardi & Inge Hutter, 2007. "The anthropological demography of Europe," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 17(18), pages 541-566.
    6. Lien, Nguyen Huong & Westberg, Kate & Stavros, Constantino & Robinson, Linda J., 2018. "Family decision-making in an emerging market: Tensions with tradition," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 479-489.
    7. Léger Félix Ntienjom Mbohou, 2023. "Understanding the role of institutions in the multiple streams approach through the recognition of the diaspora as a development agent in Cameroon," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 56(2), pages 355-376, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    migration; anthropology; Cameroon; family networks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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