Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MigYouBra (To leave or to stay? Rethinking the mobility of young people in Brazil)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-09-01 do 2023-08-31
The MigYouBra project is a research endeavor that examines the intricacies of transnational youth (im)mobility in the Governador Valadares Region of Minas Gerais (MGV), Brazil. The MGV region plays a significant role as a central hub of international migration within Brazil and has witnessed a substantial outflow of migrants. In MGV, migration extends beyond conventional boundaries, with numerous families having connections in the USA and PT. This intricate network of connections adds intricacy to the migration networks in MGV, granting young individuals diverse options to consider when making decisions about their mobility. Within this context, the MigYouBra project aims to address the empirical gap in understanding the mobility of young Brazilians from the MGV region. Its objective is to offer an updated and preliminary examination of transnational youth mobility with a distinctive focus on immobility. The project is designed to undertake a comprehensive analysis of these complex dynamics, providing valuable insights into the factors that influence the choices made by young individuals in MGV regarding mobility and immobility. The MigYouBra project establishes a solid foundation of knowledge that bridges existing research on mobility, immobility, internal and international migration, gender, and youth studies to enhance comprehension of youth mobility at the local and global levels through fieldwork, extensive literature reviews, data collection, and ethnographic research. As a result, it presents a new perspective on the discourse surrounding migration by illuminating the motivations behind young individuals' decisions to remain in their current environments. By examining transnational youth mobility, this project enhances our understanding of this complex phenomenon and lays the groundwork for future research and policy considerations in migration studies.
Thus far, the MigYouBra Project has run to plan and in accord with the Description of Activities, concentrating so far on a contemporary examination of transnational youth mobility, specifically in the Governador Valadares Region of Minas Gerais (MGV) in Brazil, with a distinctive focus on immobility, illuminating the reasons behind the choices made by the young individuals to remain in their current locales. The project's initial phase involved extensive desk-based research, which included a systematic literature review and the collection and analysis of secondary data, statistics, and Brazil census information. The literature review encompassed topics related to migration, youth, mobility, immobility, gender, transnationalism, and human geography. This comprehensive review spanned many scholarly articles, book chapters, and research studies on migration, (im)mobility, and youth in Brazil, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The outcomes of this research were instrumental in the successful elaboration of an online survey questionnaire and the meticulous development of interview guides. These tools were foundational for the subsequent fieldwork phase and ensured the project was well-prepared for in-depth data collection and analysis. The project transitioned into the fieldwork phase, where extensive research was conducted within the Governador Valadares Region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. During this phase, a diverse group of young individuals, their families, and key actors were engaged to comprehensively examine the factors influencing youth mobility and immobility in MGV. This in-depth fieldwork allowed for the collection of valuable insights into the complexities of youth migration in the region, offering an enriched understanding of the dynamics shaping the choices made by young individuals to remain in their current locales. Preliminary results were presented in a seminar in Brazil, marking a significant milestone in the project's progress. At the present stage, the project is engaged in deeply analyzing the data collected during the fieldwork. This analysis is crucial in preparing to draft and edit scientific articles, which will be central to the project's outcomes. In summary, the MigYouBra Project has adhered to its planned activities. It successfully conducts desk-based research and extensive fieldwork, generating preliminary results that will pave the way for comprehensive analysis and publications. The work aligns with the project's core objectives, enhancing the understanding of transnational youth mobility and immobility in the MGV region. The project is poised for the next phase, which includes drafting and editing scientific articles and disseminating knowledge to academic and non-specialist audiences. Thus far, the results are integral to the project's ongoing success and contributions to the migration and youth studies field.
The fulfillment of the MigYouBra project's primary goal is to advance our understanding of how young people in the Global South "stay put" in the face of high transnational mobility and how they perceive the desirability of staying in their home region compared to migrating. In other words, the research conducted within the project aims to investigate how young people choose to remain in their place of origin, exploring their motivations, the degree of voluntariness or involuntariness of their immobility, and the narratives underpinning their decision to stay. The project is primarily centered in Governador Valadares, a significant hub for transnational migration in Brazil.
In the realm of migration studies, immobility has received less attention compared to mobility. Therefore, MigYouBra seeks to address this research gap by focusing on immobility, examining both "involuntary immobility" (desire to migrate but unable to do so) and "desirable immobility" (conscious choice to stay under specific circumstances and motivations). This research contributes to a growing literature that suggests immobility, even in the context of high mobility, can be a meaningful and conscious choice that reflects agency. It is a decision likely to be renegotiated throughout an individual's life. In this regard, the MigYouBra project challenges the prevailing "mobility bias" in migration studies, concentrating primarily on the factors that drive people to move while not giving enough attention to the structural forces that limit or resist migration and the aspirations of those who choose to stay.
The project results help a more profound understanding of the complex factors influencing young people's decisions to stay put in a transnationally mobile world.
The potential impacts of MigYouBra extend beyond academic research. By examining youth immobility in the Global South, the project has the potential to inform policies and interventions related to youth mobility, particularly in regions with a history of transnational migration. The project's findings can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of young people's and their families' experiences, potentially leading to more informed policies and support structures.
In the realm of migration studies, immobility has received less attention compared to mobility. Therefore, MigYouBra seeks to address this research gap by focusing on immobility, examining both "involuntary immobility" (desire to migrate but unable to do so) and "desirable immobility" (conscious choice to stay under specific circumstances and motivations). This research contributes to a growing literature that suggests immobility, even in the context of high mobility, can be a meaningful and conscious choice that reflects agency. It is a decision likely to be renegotiated throughout an individual's life. In this regard, the MigYouBra project challenges the prevailing "mobility bias" in migration studies, concentrating primarily on the factors that drive people to move while not giving enough attention to the structural forces that limit or resist migration and the aspirations of those who choose to stay.
The project results help a more profound understanding of the complex factors influencing young people's decisions to stay put in a transnationally mobile world.
The potential impacts of MigYouBra extend beyond academic research. By examining youth immobility in the Global South, the project has the potential to inform policies and interventions related to youth mobility, particularly in regions with a history of transnational migration. The project's findings can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of young people's and their families' experiences, potentially leading to more informed policies and support structures.