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MIGRATION REFERS to the movement of people from one geographical area to another. It is the movement of people across a specified boundary for the purpose of establishing a new or semi-permanent residence. Migration will occur within a country (internal migration) or between countries (external or international migration).

TYPES OF MIGRATION

There are two main types of migratory patterns: immigration and emigration. This is also referred to as external or international migration.

Emigration involves movement into another country where you become an immigrant. An example is movement from Jamaica to the United States. This movement is usually associated with push factors (encouraging you to leave your country) and pull factors (inviting, beckoning you to come because we have what you desire). Examples include: Need for education to fulfil dreams. Need to flee the law. Need to flee violence and crime in the country of origin.

Step migration: a series of short, lessextreme migrations from a person’s place of origin to final destination.

Chain migration: a series of migrations within a family or defined group of people. A chain migration often begins with one family member who sends money to get the other family members to the new location.

ADVANTAGES OR PULL FACTORS OF MIGRATION

Higher standard of living and better life chance. Educational opportunities. Less violence. Employment opportunities. Being with family members who had previously migrated.

Remittance to family members.

DISADVANTAGES OF MIGRATION

Brain drain, as mostly the educated persons migrate from their home countries.

Inability to communicate, as there is a culture shock or language difference.

Lack of highly paid jobs or only menial job opportunities.

Discrimination based on colour, race, religion, etc.

Broken families, children left in the care of relatives or friends.

Immigration refers to the movement of individuals into your country. In the Caribbean, people usual immigrate to our islands when they have retired from work that was done in foreign lands and want to live a quiet life.

There is also another category of migration, internal migration, or the movement of individuals within a country. In the Caribbean, this movement tends to be from the rural areas to the urban areas to settle (rural-to-urban migration). This movement has resulted in urbanisation.

This is the process by which an increasingly larger proportion of the world’s population lives in or very near to cities. Urbanisation has been so common that it is now taken for granted in many parts of the world. Today, it is believed that almost as many people live in urban areas as in rural areas.

REASONS FOR URBANISATION

1. People are pushed out of their villages because expanding rural population cannot be supported by the existing agricultural economy.

2. Poor people are attracted to the cities in the belief that there are opportunities for better education, employment, social welfare support and good medical care. Unfortunately, they are likely to be disappointed.

3. Mostly, young people tend to migrate to the cities seeking all of the above plus opportunities for entertainment, as they complain about the lack of theatres, cinemas, game arcades, shopping malls and cable television. Also, most areas lack proper sporting facilities, which are available in the city.

4. There is, in fact, a scarcity of employment opportunities other than in agriculture in the rural areas. Most of people consider agricultural work to be labourious, low-paying, risky and menial. There is a rush to the city in search of white-collar jobs.

EFFECTS OF CITY LIFE

a. Provides residents with more chances to pursue a career of their own choosing.

b. The many job opportunities that may be available allow individuals to enter into occupations that are in harmony with their talents and abilities. They will enjoy the fulfillment of pursuing a career which they love and enjoy.

c. Individuals who fail to obtain gainful employment will be forced into illegal and demoralizing activities in order to earn a living.

d. Individuals may be forced to live in slums as they are unable to pay high rents which come with living in the city.

HOW TO COPE WITH INCREASED POPULATION IN THE CITIES

1. Address the deficiencies in the rural areas and make these areas more attractive for settlement.

2. Erect industrial sites and build industrial plants in the rural areas.

3. Erect proper infrastructure such as roads, water and sporting facilities to help to reduce movement to the cities.

ACTIVITIES

1. Suggest THREE reasons why you would migrate, stating the country you would go and why.

2. Differentiate between emigration and immigration.

3. What do you understand by the term ‘barrel children’?

4. Define chain and step migration and state any other forms of migration that was/is practised in the Caribbean region to date.

5. Suggest THREE ways in which a government can prevent internal migration. Explain why it is necessary to lesson internal migration.

6. Suggest THREE strategies that may be used by the government to prevent brain drain in your country. Give reasons why you think these strategies may be successful.