I was forced here

Perceptions of agency in second generation 'return' migration to Tonga

Bibliographic Data

ID3623985
AuthorsHelen Lee (0000-0002-2379-6940, La Trobe University, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume42
Issue15
Pages2573-2588
Publication date2016-12-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0047-9586 • E-ISSN: 1469-9451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1369183x.2016.1176524
OpenAlexW2345125786
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited26

Migrants’ adolescent children sometimes live for periods of time in their parents’ homeland; however, little attention has been paid to this in the literature on ‘return’ migration and transnationalism. This paper explores the experiences of overseas born Tongan youth spending time in high schools in Tonga, whether by choice or because they have been taken or sent due to concerns about their behaviour. The importance of these young people’s perceptions of agency in relation to their move is considered as a factor in their responses to their experiences in Tonga. Other factors shaping those experiences include their family situation, the school they attend and the wider attitudes in Tongan society towards these young people. The paper also considers the question of agency in relation to the cultural expectations these overseas born youth must learn to meet, which entail significant restrictions on their behaviour yet are also a means of strengthening their cultural identity and sense of belonging

Demographic economics · Economics · Homeland · Immigration · Perception · Political science · Politics · Social science · Sociology · Transnationalism · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Gender Studies · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs · Law · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Psychology · Social Psychology

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