Exploring children's experiences of migration: movement and family relationships
Author(s): A. Whitehead P. de Lima S. Punch
This briefing paper highlights the main themes emerging from a recent ESRC seminar to explore the ways that children’s migration impacts upon their family relationships and vice-versa, whilst also considering the similarities and differences in experiences of children from across the world. The briefing argues that the ways that child migrants are labelled in policy shape their experiences and can include or exclude children, and that differences in how childhood and young adulthood are defined, between origin and destination communities, can have implications for their support. Moreover, children can, and do, play a role in migration decision-making and are not passive victims of adults’ decisions. The briefing paper covers a range of issues, including the terminology surrounding child migration; complex concepts of ‘place’ as they relate to child migration; the importance of social networks; and the role of communications technologies in maintaining family relationships. The briefing paper concludes with reflections on the future research agenda in the area of child migration and family relationships.