Marije Faber

Understanding Different Post-Return Experiences

Studies aimed at understanding different post-return experiences point at various factors that are involved. In this article, we show the importance of striving for a contextualized understanding of post-return experiences as different factors appear to be important in different cases. Our study sets out to seek the value of the theory of preparedness proposed by Cassarino and simultaneously contribute to further contextualization of this theory through a qualitative study conducted in Morocco. Drawing on 44 qualitative interviews with a diverse set of returned migrants we scrutinize how mechanisms related to intersections between factors commonly found to be important in the literature take shape to make different factors important in different cases. For example, we show how the ability to keep transnational contacts with the destination country after return adds to positive post-return experiences, but only for migrants with specific return motives. In doing so, this article contributes to theory specification and contextualization.

From Bridgeheads to Gate Closers: How Migrant Networks Contribute to Declining Migration from Morocco to the Netherlands

A key finding of contemporary migration research relates to the crucial role of social networks and informal support within migrant networks in the initiation and the continuation of migration flows between sending and receiving countries (Massey, 1990; Massey et al., 2005; Epstein, 2008; Faist, 2010; Boyd and Nowak, 2013). Migrant networks encourage migration in numerous ways, both directly and indirectly. Whereas ‘pioneer’ migrants have to find their way to and in the destination country on their own, by facilitating their successors—giving, contributing to transport costs and providing access to housing and employment—they make migration easier and cheaper, and thus more attractive for potential new migrants. But previous migrants encourage migration also indirectly. Frequent home visits and transnational communication spread information about the benefits of migration and contribute to the rise of a ‘culture of migration’ in the home country. Bakewell and Jolivet (Chapter 9, in this volume) describe these personal or impersonal ‘messages’ from previous migrants to prospective migrants as ‘personal network feedback’ and ‘general broadcast feedback’. But in whatever way, migration networks contribute to migration up to the point that migration flows perpetuate, ‘independent of their initial conditions’ (Mabogunje, 1970, p. 14).

Online Feedback in Migration Networks

Feedback that is exchanged in migration corridors often entails information about migration to, and life in, different destinations. This is known to influence migration plans and decisions of prospective migrants. This type of feedback is transferred via means of long-distance communication. In the early 20th century, this was sustained through letters sent by surface mail (Thomas and Znaniecki, 1918–1920). Over the years, the means of communication between migrants and their country of origin have become faster, cheaper and more encompassing. For example, international telephone calls brought synchronous communication with the intimacy of hearing each other’s voice. Today, internet-based video chat and social media enable the simultaneous exchange of content combining text, (moving) images and sound. These exchanges facilitate intensive co-existence while living miles apart (Madianou and Miller, 2012).