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Migrant and Non-Migrant Families in Chengdu, China: Segregated Lives, Segregated Schools

Author

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  • Nan Li

    (Department of Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures, Gustavus Adolphus College, Vickner Hall 216, 800 West College Avenue, St. Peter, MN 56082, USA)

  • Peggy Placier

    (Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

Abstract

This study documented the experiences of Chinese rural-urban migrant children and their parents living in the host city of Chengdu, China. It was informed by previous studies but applied a theoretical lens cultural reproduction theory—to reveal deeper understanding of rural-urban migrant families’ lives in the city of Chengdu. Participants in this study were 10 families—10 migrant parents, 10 local Chengdu resident parents, 5 local Chengdu children, and 5 migrant children. Through qualitative interviews and observations the researchers created 5 family case studies, documenting differences and similarities in the lives of migrant and local resident families in Chengdu. Results indicated that children in the two groups experienced unequal childhoods. Although the Chinese central government has issued a number of proactive policies to allow migrant children to attend local urban public schools since 2003, the negative effect of the longstanding Hukou residency policy still impacts migrant families’ lives in Chengdu. In this article we discuss an entrenched urban-rural divide between urban residents and rural-urban migrant families, in work, community, and schooling.

Suggested Citation

  • Nan Li & Peggy Placier, 2015. "Migrant and Non-Migrant Families in Chengdu, China: Segregated Lives, Segregated Schools," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-22, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:4:y:2015:i:2:p:339-360:d:49166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deborah A. Cobb-Clarke & Mathias Sinning & Steven Stillman, 2011. "Migrant Youths' Educational Achievement: The Role of Institutions," ANU Working Papers in Economics and Econometrics 2011-565, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics.
    2. Ingrid Nielsen & Berenice Nyland & Chris Nyland & Russell Smyth & Mingqiong Zhang, 2006. "Determinants Of School Attendance Among Migrant Children: Survey Evidence From China'S Jiangsu Province," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(4), pages 461-476, December.
    3. Free, Janese L. & Križ, Katrin & Konecnik, Jenny, 2014. "Harvesting hardships: Educators’ views on the challenges of migrant students and their consequences on education," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 187-197.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaoping Xiang & Daniel Fu Keung Wong & Ke Hou, 2018. "The impact of perceived discrimination on personality among Chinese migrant children: The moderating role of parental support," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 64(3), pages 248-257, May.
    2. Yiyue Huangfu, 2024. "Return Migration of Rural-Urban Migrant Children in China," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 43(3), pages 1-27, June.

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