Migration aspirations, life stage, and early-life socialisation experiences
Examining age-cohort variations among Chinese migrants
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7843633 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Grace W F Chau (0000-0002-3445-5420, University of Glasgow, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 19 |
| Pages | 1-19 |
| Publication date | 2025-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | New Community (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0047-9586 • E-ISSN: 1469-9451 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/1369183x.2025.2524592 |
| OpenAlex | W4416268605 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 37 |
This paper examines motivational differences among different age-cohorts of wealthy Chinese migrants by incorporating the migration aspirations-capabilities framework with life-course analysis, combined with an analysis of migrants’ early-life socialisation experiences. Using empirical evidence generated from 56 semi-structured interviews with Chinese migrants living in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, the study discovers instrumental, future-oriented career aspirations among young post-1989 generation Chinese, and aspirations to enhance well-being among middle-aged pre-1989 generation Chinese. The findings indicate that differences in migration motivations across age cohorts are influenced by individuals’ life stages and early-life socialisation experiences. This paper contributes to Chinese migration studies by uncovering clear generational differences in the motivations and trajectories of Chinese emigration over the past two decades. Equally importantly, the paper advances the capabilities-aspirations analytical framework by incorporating an analysis of individuals’ life-course events and early-life socialisation experiences in their home countries, thereby providing a more thorough understanding of the complex formation of migration aspirations, and demonstrating its applicability in explaining variations in migration aspirations across different age cohorts
Emigration · Empirical research · Immigration · Life course approach · Migration studies · Socialization · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy
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| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |