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Engendering International Migration: Perspectives from within Asia

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Global and Asian Perspectives on International Migration

Part of the book series: Global Migration Issues ((IOMS,volume 4))

Abstract

Recent trends in the feminization of migration experiences in Asia provides grist to the mill in developing critical migration theory beyond that grounded in western modes of migration historically or, more recently, immigration and settlement of Asian migrants in Europe and North America. This chapter draws on these trends in migration to provide a selective mapping of some important contemporary developments in research on gender and international migration in the region. Amidst the increase in gender-sensitive migration research in the context of Asia since the 1980s, the paper discusses two potentially innovative lines of research that emerges out of regional concerns: the first, around fundamental notions of the ‘household’ and/or ‘family;’ and the second, around questions of ‘nation’ and ‘citizenship.’ In the former, migration studies have contributed to the opening up of the Asian “family” as a material and ideological construct to academic scrutiny, and in the process, paved the way for a more critical understanding of gender identities and relations. With regard to the latter, the growing phenomenon of international marriage migration in Asia raises questions that have inclined scholars to rethink the relationship between migrants, gender and citizenship. The chapter ends with an outline of potential areas of interest which warrant further study in enhancing our understanding of women and men on the move in Asia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Brenda S. A. Yeoh

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  1. Brenda S. A. Yeoh
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Correspondence to Brenda S. A. Yeoh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Scalabrini Migration Center, Quezon City, Philippines

    Graziano Battistella

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Yeoh, B. (2014). Engendering International Migration: Perspectives from within Asia. In: Battistella, G. (eds) Global and Asian Perspectives on International Migration. Global Migration Issues, vol 4. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08317-9_7

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