Migration as opportunity? A case study of Polish women : Migrants in the UK and returnees in Poland

Duda-Mikulin, EA

Abstract

Migration from the new European Union (EU) Member States to the United Kingdom (UK) has been identified as one of the most significant social phenomena of recent times and has been studied extensively, particularly since 2004. Although
gendered studies of migration are now gaining recognition, there is limited literature in relation to Polish women. There is now much evidence to support the view that migrant women constitute a large proportion of international migrants; within the European context, migrant women already outnumber their male counterparts. Drawing on a review of secondary literature and preliminary findings from new
qualitative research undertaken in Poland and the UK, this paper explores how Polish migrant women negotiate their lives in regard to work and welfare responsibilities
when exercising their rights as EU citizens. It is argued that migrant women should be seen as active decision makers and that migration may be considered as an opportunity to bring about change in relation to gender roles. It is concluded that migration presents an opportunity to re evaluate gender norms.

Citation

Duda-Mikulin, E. (2013). Migration as opportunity? A case study of Polish women : Migrants in the UK and returnees in Poland. Problemy Polityki Społecznej, 23(4), 105-121

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Jul 31, 2015
• Journal: Problemy Polityki Spolecznej
• Print ISSN: 1640-1808
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 105-121
• Publisher URL: http://problemypolitykispolecznej.pl/images/czasopisma/23/105-121.pdf
• Related Public URLs: http://www.problemyps.pl/
• Additional Information: Funders : Graduate Teaching Studentship Scheme, University of Salford;Jagiellonian University Polish Research Centre, London