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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Ouagadougou – Abidjan. Growing into family relations at a distance?
| Panel |
28. Generations of Migrants in West Africa
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| Paper ID | 300 |
| Author(s) |
Thorsen, Dorte
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | This paper focuses on young male migrants of rural origins in south-eastern Burkina Faso and explores the ways in which migration to Ouagadougou and Abidjan shape their conception of intergenerational relationships and of their responsibilities vis-à-vis various family members. While many studies are based on research at either the place of origin or the destination, this study traces migrants from particular villages to their destination and in some cases from Ouagadougou to Abidjan. By triangulating material from interviews with young migrants, their kin in the village and at the migration destinations case studies are built up around individuals in order to examine whether differences exist between the two destinations with regard to the social networks young migrants tap into and to the opportunities for social mobility that may influence their views. The discussion will be focused on contractions and expansions in the relationships between young migrants and their elders and especially on the young migrants’ perceptions of these relationships. |
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