The Pros And Cons Of Transnational Migration

Due to the globalization and transnationalism that exists in our modern world today, transnational migration has become more frequent from the 19th century up until now, as Hein de Haas points out. This has further resulted in the concept of diasporic existence which is a phenomenon that exists amongst migrants, dispersed from their original homelands (Butler). As to the reasons why transnational migration and diasporic existence become a choice and/or a necessary strategy for individuals, family and women in today’s neoliberal era, they vary from case to case, thus making them complex questions to ask. Two of the biggest reasons why individuals migrate from one country to another are warfare and work opportunities.
When it comes to warfare, …show more content…
Another example from Lan’s article which can justify this phenomenon is Jovita’s case. Jovita is a 20-something year old Filipina working in Taiwan under a contract. One of her fears was attached to the uncertainty she faced with her contract ending and the possibility of having to go back home. She felt that she may not be satisfied with the low wage levels that existed in the Philippines (Lan 199). Her case and the possibility of multiple other women and men feeling the same way illustrates how, for some, working abroad becomes a necessary strategy to earn adequate wages; for others it is a choice.
Therefore, economic opportunities one can have when they migrate and the impacts of living in a war-affected country are two of the main conditions which compels individuals and families to migrate transnationally in the globalized and neoliberal era we live in. This compulsion of leaving one’s current lifestyle in a specific country is done either out of choice or necessity. Ultimately, this transnational migration, whatever the fundamental reason behind it, leads to diasporic existence and for some populations, this diasporic existence continues to exist for generations to