SO 320 Why do People Migrate?

SO320 Notes_Migration
Class of Justin V. Nicolas
1st Semester SY 2008-2009

WHY DO PEOPLE MIGRATE

The Push-Pull Theory

Ø based on Ravenstein (1889) conclusion of the 1881 census of Engalnd and Wales that , “Bad or oppressive laws, heavy taxation, an unattractive climate, uncongenial social surroundings, and even compulsion (slave trade, transportation), all have produced and are still producing currents of migration, but none of these currents can compare in volume with that which arises from the desire inherent in most men to ‘better’ themselves in material respects.”
Ø In other words, the desire to get ahead more than the desire to escape unpleasant situation is most responsible for the migration of the people
Ø Similar to Davis (1963) in the motivation for having small families, argued that it is the pursuit for pleasure or the fear of social slippage, not the desire to escape from poverty, that motivates people to limit fertility.
Ø The probability responding to stress by voluntary migration is rare unless they feel there is some reasonable attractive alternative – this is called PULL FACTOR.
Ø Decision is based on cost-benefit analysis of the situation; potential migrant weighs the push and pull factors and moves if the benefits of doing so exceed the costs.
Ø Between the desire to move and the actual decision to move are intervening obstacles such as the distance of expected destination, the cost of getting there, poor health, etc
Ø Implementing strategy – migration is seen as a possible means whereby a goal (ex, education, a better job, a nicer house, a more pleasant environment, etc) might be attained; “arise from a system of strategies adopted by the individual in the course of passing through the life cycle”
Ø Lee (1966) restated Ravenstein’s theory by making two major generalizations

1. Migration is selective (that is, not everyone migrates, only a selected portion of the population).
2. The heightened propensity to migrate at certain stages of the life cycle is important in the selection of migrants.(ex. Desire for obtaining more education, or the process of obtaining a job, and getting married, all have its peak periods)
Ø Migration Selectivity may be discussed according to AGE and by Life Cycle and Education (Although in the Philippines, majority of the out-migration is the OFW population.)