The Ambiguity of Return Migration

Prolonged Crisis and Uncertainty in the Life Strategies of Young Romanian and Latvian Returnees

Bibliographic Data

ID9952971
AuthorsElina Apsite-Berina (0000-0001-5537-5879, University of Latvia, corresponding author), Elina Apsite‐Berina (University of Latvia Latvia), Mădălina Manea (0000-0003-0460-3776, University of Bucharest), Mădălina‐Elena Manea (University of Bucharest/Research Institute for the Quality of Life Romania), Maris Berzins (0000-0002-5773-3307, University of Latvia Latvia)
Year2019
Volume58
Issue1
Pages61-75
Publication date2019-04-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Migration (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-7985 • E-ISSN: 1468-2435
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/imig.12580
OpenAlexW2935723899
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited35

Drawing on qualitative research, this study endeavours to identify the determinants of return migration of young Romanians and Latvians in light of the most recent global economic crisis ( GEC ). The decision‐making patterns of young returnees are examined by three main research questions. How do macro‐events, such as the GEC , interfere with individual biographies creating specific return experiences? What can we say about the “crisis returnees”, their migration motivations and re‐adaptation in the origin country? What are the main challenges of young adults facing life strategies in such uncertain periods? Data are drawn from 51 in‐depth interviews with Romanian and Latvian young adults, carried out in late 2015 and early 2016. Findings show that return migration is associated with economic conditions, family life, feelings of homesickness, and re‐adaptation experiences. Our results also confirm that youth transitions and migration have become more diversified and complex in the context of the economic crisis

Ambiguity · Context (archaeology · Demographic economics · Economics · Feeling · Geography · Latvian · Political science · Romanian · Sociology · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics

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