MIGRATE OR STAY BEHIND? GENDERED NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

Migration is a process and result of decision making. Literature on migration decision making tend to focus more on the migrant, thus undermining the decisions of those who remain behind. The paper addresses this gap by examining why certain family members (i.e. wives) remain behind when they have the option of migrating with the husband and the family. Based on a qualitative study with women whose husbands were working in Italy as low or semi-skilled workers, the study identifies that children's education is a primary reason for women to remain at the origin. Perception of these women with regard to the quality, structure and content of school education that they expect, and their values and views regarding the upbringing of children and teenagers justifies their reasons to stay behind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]