Objective
This project aims to further develop theoretical and empirical knowledge on the interrelationship between geographic distance, care practices and family relations. The specific question this study addresses is the extent to which transnational adult migrants are able to exchange care and support with their geographically distant parents, and the specific role that intrafamilial dynamics play in the exchange of care between adult migrants, their siblings and their parents. This will be done by analyzing the experiences of Dominican migrants in Belgium and their geographically distant kin. The study will focus on three types of care-giving arrangements: long distance care-giving (provision of support from a distance) ; aged migration (permanent or temporary migration of dependent elderly parents in order to be cared for by their child(ren) in the host country) ; and migrants repatriation (migrants moving back home to care for their parents). Particular attention will be paid to gendered dynamics and power relations within the families, as well as other structural factors that influence decisions regarding each type of care-giving arrangement. Fieldwork will include semi-structured interviews and participant observation with Dominican migrants residing in Belgium, their parents (father and/or mother) and up to 2 key siblings.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG
See other projects for this call
Coordinator
1348 Louvain La Neuve
Belgium