Becoming Urban Citizens: A Three-Phase Perspective on the Social Integration of Rural–Urban Migrants in China

Abstract

This article attempts to provide an integrated conceptual framework for understanding how rural-urban migrants in China integrate into urban society. We propose a three-phase conceptual framework in which the social integration of rural-urban migrants is categorized into circular migration, urban settlement, and urban integration. We argue that the three phases differ with respect to the aims of migration, the identity of migrants, the key dimensions of social integration, the role of government, and the hukou policy. While the transition from circular migration to urban settlement is an outcome of economic development and change in demographic structure, as reflected by the economic conditions of rural-urban migrants, welfare expansion also plays a critical role during this process. We further hypothesize that the transition from urban settlement to urban integration will be a result of the social interaction between rural-urban migrants and local urbanites, within which social capital and cultural factors are vital. Since most rural-urban migrants are currently at the phase of urban settlement, we suggest that the Chinese government should enlarge welfare provisions to support their settlement in cities. This study contributes to improving the understanding of how to facilitate social integration of internal migrants in developing countries.

Leaving the Homestead: Examining the Role of Relative Deprivation, Social Trust, and Urban Integration among Rural Farmers in China

“…Regarding H5b and H5c, the results are consistent with the results of Sun, X. et al (2022) [31] and Wang, W.W. et al (2012) [34]. Firstly, urban integration can expand an individual's options to participate in political and community activities by giving them various opportunities for social participation, thus enhancing their social rights and abilities through participation in social interactions and, consequently, weakening the negative influence of the sense of social deprivation on the homestead withdrawal behavior of farmers [31]. Secondly, urban integration involves achieving integration into urban culture and identifying oneself as an "urbanite".…”

“…The urban integration of migrant farmers refers to the process by which farmers establish their economic status in the city, adapt to urban social norms and security, and finally achieve urban psychological identity [30,31]. In this study, we analyze the urban integration of migrant farmers in three dimensions: Economic integration, social integration, and psychological integration.…”

A study on the influencing factors and response strategies for young teachers from Taiwan to teach in universities in China: a push-pull-mooring model perspective

“…Clearly, the above regions can provide teachers with higher salaries, job and life security, better platforms, more opportunities and resources, and broader development prospects; the ability to achieve both higher salaries and expect better academic prospects creates a great pull. Welfare expansion plays a key role in population migration activities ( Sun et al, 2022 ), as people seek a better quality of life. People migrate for a better quality of life and economic value ( Xiong et al, 2020 ; Oliinyk et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Next, there are differences in cultural upbringing and research culture between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, with mainland education emphasizing subject systematization and in-depth training, while Taiwan focuses more on international training. It is clear that culture will also influence teacher integration ( Sun et al, 2022 ). As the phenomenon of fewer children on the mainland is becoming increasingly serious ( Marois et al, 2021 ), some Taiwanese teachers are also concerned that future teaching positions in mainland universities will also be saturated, and once the staff is cut, there is a greater possibility that Taiwanese teachers will be laid off, so their career development is limited.…”

How does choice of residential community affect the social integration of rural migrants: insights from China

“…Regarding the influencing factors of the social integration of rural migrants, various researchers have conducted in-depth analysis regarding the social integration of rural migrants from multiple disciplines and perspectives, such as economics, sociology, and psychology, and has achieved rich results. Existing studies have shown that rural migrants are subject to many constraints in urban integration [ 8 , 9 ]. On the one hand, social and economic distances arise from the household registration system, social security, and wage levels.…”