Fixed identities in a mobile world? The relationship between mobility, place, and identity

Starting from the premise that mobility is a fundamental social issue, this article addresses the impact of mobility and place on identity. Three major schools of thought addressing this issue are examined: the socio-historical approach of Giddens (1991) and Bauman (1997, 2001) that describes a shift over the last century from place-based (prescribed) identities to mobile (achieved) identities; recent theories in sociology that see identity as mobile, dynamic, hybrid, and relational; and recent theories in geography that consider the relationship between place and identity. With reference to my own research into the migration experiences of a group of young adults in Australia, I argue that both mobility and place are essential components of identity construction and discuss the complex inter-relationships between mobility, place, and identity. Key Words: Mobility, place, identity, migration, post-modern society