German Professionals in the United States : A Gendered Analysis of the Migration Decision of Highly Skilled Families

Eich-Krohm examines the stay/return decision of highly skilled migrants in the context of globalization and brain drain vs. brain circulation. Economic reasons are considered the main factor for professionals to move with limited influence by the spouses, the tied migrants. The analysis of qualitative interviews with 38 German families who moved temporary to the United States show that the interests of the spouse, cultural curiosity about a global world, and the work itself are equally important to economic gains. Women’s progress in education and paid work, have changed the role of the tied migrant and its influence on the settlement or return decision. With much of the literature on the migration of highly skilled workers focusing on migration from developing to developed countries and largely focused on male experiences (because of the relatively larger number of males filling highly skilled positions), this study by Eich-Krohm (sociology, Southern State U.) fills a gap by examining German migrants in the Northeast United States (as well as those that returned home) as its case material and paying attention to the roles of women and families in highly skilled migration. By investigating the experiences and motivations of both the men and the women in highly skilled migration, her analysis unearths complexities in decision-making processes that cannot be explained solely through economic interests. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Theoretical context and explanations of highly skilled migration Why do they migrate to America German professionals working in the United States The life of tied migrants The migrating family The settlers Temporary and return migration of highly skilled professionals.