An Origin and Destination Perspective on Family Reunification: The Case of Senegalese Couples

Transnational relationships and reunification

“…Baizan, Beauchemin, and González-Ferrer (2014) found that Senegalese migrants with partners in the origin country who have the potential to adapt to labor market circumstances in Europe are more likely to reunify, while having children did not increase the likelihood of reunification in the destination country. Children increase the costs of family life and thus motivate migrants to stay abroad generating income.…”

“…It could also be related to cultural practices such as the frequent occurrence of non-residential relationships among West Africans that makes African migrants more inclined towards LATAB relationships (Bledsoe and Sow 2011;Coe 2011). Baizan, Beauchemin, and González-Ferrer (2014) have found that LATAB relationships are a significant phenomenon for Senegalese male migrants in Europe: these relationships are characterized by long-term separations. Reunification in the destination country is most likely for the most 'integrated' migrants, which the authors define as migrants who have sufficient resources, tertiary education, and high socioeconomic status.…”

“…An important distinction must be made between de jure reunification and de facto reunification (Baizan, Beauchemin, and González-Ferrer 2014;González-Ferrer 2011). While de jure reunification refers to reunifying through the legal procedure of family reunification, de facto reunification refers to reunification by any means available outside legal family reunification channels, even through irregular migration.…”

What drives Senegalese migration to Europe? The role of economic restructuring, labor demand, and the multiplier effect of networks

“…Sending a family member to Europe may provide the means to afford consumer goods and invest in a business or, more often, a dwelling, thus enhancing the whole family's social status and well-being. The importance of the family dimension in Senegalese migration has been demonstrated in such crucial issues as financing migration, transnational family practices, and remittance and investment behaviors (Mezger and Beauchemin 2010;Baizan, Beauchemin, and González-Ferrer 2014). Other individuals may be involved in a 'migration contract' including more distant kin, members of the same ethnic or religious group, or network members met during the migration process, even if their reciprocal obligations are unequal (Guilmoto 1998;Krissman 2005).…”

“…28 More detailed analyses of family-related migration using MAFE data can be found in Baizan, Beauchemin, and González-Ferrer (2014); Beauchemin et al (2015): and in Mazzucato et al (2015).…”