Double Selections and Split Living among Migrants in China

Juhua Yang , Renmin University of China

While migrant family tends to reunite in receiving societies as the duration of stay lengthens, many migrants separate from nuclear family members in China. This paper explores the associates of living apart with double selections, being selected by public policies and structural constraints, and self-selection due to structural barriers. Findings of representative data illustrate strong selection effects such that the hukou institution and economic structure in receiving cities prevent migrants from being reunited with nuclear family members. Being selected effect is more pronounced for migrants with a rural hukou, inter-province hukou, and moving to coastal and more economically advanced areas, while self-selection effect is more salient in less developed areas with less economic and educational opportunities. Such findings reveal that economic advancement does not necessarily bring about more inclusive public policies for family reunion, and less development has no attraction motivating migrants to bring family members to host society.

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 Presented in Session 61. Skills, Labour Market and Internal Migration