Paper short abstract:

This paper analyses past research using the concept of Cultures of Migration. It will assess, if the concept (1) stigmatizes rural spaces and (2) is built on a rural/urban dichotomy. Modifications of how to keep the concept usable in spite of theoretical challenges will be presented as well.

Paper long abstract:

The concept of Cultures of Migration has been used to explain the development of social climates in which the out-migration of the young becomes normative. Hence, in a Culture of Migration leaving a region is regarded to be the only route for the young to attain success in life, while the ambitions and dreams of those wishing to stay are simultaneously being devalued. In most cases, research projects employing the concept have been conducted in rural regions, even though exceptions like Ali (2007) have to be noted. The narrative of rural spaces with a Culture of Migration being declining regions unable to provide a future for the young is widespread. Yet, these sentiments may be unnecessarily stigmatizing rural spaces and if characterizations continue this way, they could even further reinforce deterioration in some regions. It would be distorting and a simplification to situate a future only in urban centers and to picture rural spaces with a Culture of Migration as lost causes inhabited only by those left behind by modern society. These assumptions would be reminiscent of the shunned rural/urban dichotomy. Therefore, I will be analyzing past research using the concept and also the idea of Cultures of Migration itself in this paper in order to establish how founded these accusations really are. Lastly, I will be sketching out ways of how to avoid pitfalls in building research designs based on the concept and how it can remain usable in spite of theoretical difficulties.