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Transnational Migration, Families, and Children: A Theoretical and Methodological Approach. Part I
Transnational Migration, Families, and Children: A Theoretical and Methodological Approach. Part I
Wednesday, 13 July 2016: 09:00-10:30
Location: Übungsraum 4A KS (Neues Institutsgebäude (NIG))
RC53 Sociology of Childhood (host committee) Language: English
This session proposes a debate on transnational migration, family and children. The concept of transnationalism has been gaining different meanings and uses, such as a framework for researching family. The concept of transnational migration may provide advantages for understanding the contemporary world. Is transnational migration connected to the increase of world inequality?
Families and children, although inserted in this framework, require research, theorization, and a specific methodology. Conducting comparative empirical research about families and children in different locations could provide a better comprehension of the situations in which they live, and improve theory and methodology regarding these issues.
Researchers need to remind themselves that there are several kinds of family in the Northern countries (Bianchi, 2013), and in the Southern ones (Berquó, 2002). Does the concept of family have to be broad enough, and limited at the same time, in order to be used in empirical research? The concept of childhood has to be broad and limited at the same time due to different childhoods within the entire world.
Questions might include: what kind of problems do transnational families face? Do they face ruptures or opportunities? Are there any advantages or disadvantages for families and children of transnational migrants? Could social movements against inequality in living conditions lead to a better world? Could Public Sociology contribute to the social transformation of transnational migrant families and children?
Session Organizers:
Chair: