Oucho, Linda A. (2011) Migration decision-making of Kenyan and Nigerian women in London : the influence of culture, family and networks. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis is about the migration decision-making experiences of Kenyan and Nigerian women migrants in London. Its aim was to investigate the influence of culture, family and networks on the women’s decision to migrate. The study used in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) to gather data. The four theories of migration decision-making used to illuminate the data and understand the women’s experiences were: value expectancy theory; place utility model; network and system theories. The results revealed that the sociocultural expectations of women in Nigerian societies influenced the migration decisions of some Nigerian women. It was a migration motive for some women who were stereotyped by gender in their society of origin and it was also a part of the migration decision-making negotiations, within households, especially between spouses. This was not true of Kenyan women who were least affected by gendered sociocultural expectations in their society of origin. Children also indirectly influenced the decision-making of married and single mothers. Single mothers focused almost exclusively on the needs of their children, whereas married women accommodated both their children and spouses’ interests. Young single women were more likely to discuss their migration plans with their parents, but for a few, migration had to be negotiated before taking a decision. The results also indicated that the women studied used various types of networks, linked differently, within a migration system. Women were interested in the type and quality of the information provided by their network(s) rather than in its gendered nature. Finally the findings also showed that the idea of ‘gendered information’ exists whereby certain information is given specifically to men or exclusively to women depending on the recipient’s life stage and reasons for migrating. This study contributes to the small body of literature on women’s migration decision-making while adding new knowledge about what influences decision making among women from two African countries. It lays foundations for further research case studies on factors affecting African women’s migration decision-making.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Kenyans -- England -- London, Nigerians -- England -- London, Women -- Kenya, Women -- Nigeria, Kenya -- Emigration and immigration, Nigeria -- Emigration and immigration
Date:	November 2011
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	School of Health and Social Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Wadia, Khursheed ; Toner, Helen, 1971-
Extent:	294 leaves
Language:	eng
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/50235

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