January 20, 2014

THEMIS: Should I stay or should I go? The role of relationships in the decision to migrate, stay, or return: the Brazilian migrants case study

14 minutes

Ana Paula Figueiredo presents her paper 'Should I stay or should I go? The role of relationships in the decision to migrate, stay, or return' in Parallel session I(D) of the conference Examining Migration Dynamics: Networks and Beyond, 24-26 Sept 2013 Despite an estimated number of over 200.000 Brazilians in London, there is no comprehensive research on their experience in the capital. This paper explores the various factors that affect the choice by Brazilians to migrate to and stay in London or to return to Brazil. Based on eighty interviews with Brazilians in London and eight months fieldwork with Brazilians women who work as cleaners in London, this research explores the importance of loving relationships on the decision making process of Brazilian migrants in London. The combination quantitative and qualitative methods of research made it possible to uncover how the break up of a long term relationship, death of a loved one, new love found on the internet or simply the hope to find love have more influence than studies of migration have previously accounted for.This case study analysis contributes to the understanding of the complexities of human agency and network formation in the context of migration and will thereby contribute to fill gaps in research on Brazilian migration in London.

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