The emigration is the individual or mass displacement of people from their country of origin, or territory of residence, in order to settle in another region. Emigration is also known under the name of emigration, as the process of leaving one sovereign state to another.
Emigration also includes the abandonment of the social, economic and political practices of the original region to adapt to other forms of these practices in the destination where one arrives.
Emigration could be seen as an abandonment of almost all original experiences, absent in form in the place of destination.
Migration has been a phenomenon practiced by humans since time immemorial. Initially, like animal migration, it worked to ensure the survival of the species.
Today, in established societies, migration can be approached as a consequence that may be related to the internal conditions of each nation.
The factors that push individuals to leave their homeland with the intention of settling in another has been the subject of constant study by demographic groups.
Today, the emigration process should not be considered a simple transition, affected by bureaucratic, political, economic, social and cultural edges.
Influence of emigration
Migratory phenomena have been common throughout the history of man. From the 17th century onward, migration patterns have helped shape the modern societies we know today.
Once the first forms of social organization have been consolidated, the establishment of territorial limits, the foundation of the gentilicio within these and the notion of belonging to a specific territory marked by cultural attributes, migration begins to be seen not as a phenomenon of displacement for survival, but as a choice of the individual influenced by the conditions in which he lives, and those in which he wishes to live.
Continents such as Europe and America have received large numbers of people from Asia, whose presence has influenced the evolution of large Western cities and populations during the last 100 years.
Conflicts during the 20th century, such as World War II, produced a great wave of migration from Europeans to America.
This reception by the young nations influenced the modernization and urbanization of their capitals and other cities, developing new generations that contributed part of their ancestral cultural baggage.
Today, the military conflict continues to be one of the main causes of mobilization and emigration by citizens, especially in a specific region of the planet, but it is not the only one.
Emigration today will continue to be an influential pattern in the formation and cultural evolution of societies.
Causes of emigration
The factors that influence emigration are grouped in a “push and pull” process that seeks to classify based on the following questions: What pushes an individual out of their native nation? And what pulls you to another destination?
The generalized notion of emigration is based on the desire of the individual to escape the negative circumstances that exist in their own country and that affect their development and quality of life as a citizen.
Among the causes of “push” that lead to leaving a country, the following have been listed: lack or absence of job and / or educational opportunities; absence of constitutional political rights; persecution for racial, sexual orientation or religious reasons; absence of guarantees and political oppression by the government of the day; a failed economic system; internal war conflicts (guerrillas, terrorism); cultural conflicts and high rates of crime and impunity.
Today many of these elements can be observed present, especially in underdeveloped or developing countries (the case of Latin America, for example), where difficulties in terms of security, economics and politics lead to emigration by its citizens.
The African and Asian nations are the center of internal conflicts of a warlike nature under racial, cultural or religious justifications; which also leads a large number of the population to seek refuge in less troubled nations.
Consequences of emigration
Despite the fact that emigration has proven to represent a solution for those who are cornered within their own nation, the increase in displacements from different nations in the world in search of opportunities in those that seem to demonstrate greater stability, has once again awakened perceptions negative among citizens.
Xenophobia, racism, religious intolerance have once again been palpable in Western societies against migratory processes.
These behaviors have resulted in the tightening of immigration measures by powers such as the United States and the European Union, for example.
The miscegenation and cultural adaptation is another consequence of the international migrations of the XXI century. The new generations that are in a position to move to other nations may experience a more difficult adaptation process, especially if their original culture is deeply rooted in itself, which may generate a greater clash with those originating from the destination country.
Today there are few nations that do not allow the legal emigration of their citizens; however, it is not always an easy process.
The bad economic conditions of some nations not only do not allow the full development of their citizens, but also do not give them the opportunity to get out of it.
The global migration regulations that have been implemented in recent years have proven not to be effective enough to deal with waves of migration from all over the world that seek to focus on a small portion of nations.
In the same way, nations must work on legislation and measures that guarantee the correct adaptation of those who arrive in their territories (under whatever conditions may be), in such a way that conflicts between immigrants and local citizens can be minimized.
References
- Massey, DS, Arango, J., Hugo, G., Kouaouci, A., & Pellegrino, A. (1993). Theories of International Migration: A Review and Appraisal. Population and Development Review, 431-466.
- Repeckiene, A., Kvedaraite, N., & Zvireliene, R. (2009). External and Internal Migration Insights in the Context of Globalization. Economics and Management, 603-610.
- Taylor, JE, Arango, J., Hugo, G., Kouaouci, A., Massey, DS, & Pellegrino, A. (1996). International Migration and Community Development. Population Index, 397-418.
- V., K. (1978). External migration and changes in the family. Croatia.
- Weinar, A. (2011). Improving US and EU Immigration Systems' Capacity for Responding to Global Challenges: Learning from experiences. San Domenico di Fiesole: European University Institute.