Women, Migration and Gendered Experiences: The Case of Post-1991 Albanian Migration (IMISCOE Research Series)

This open access book focuses on Albanian internal and international female migration and places gender at the heart of postsocialist transformation. It explores the vulnerabilities that arise for female citizens from the contradictory policies produced by the Albanian state. By illuminating the intersection of gender and migration, it shows how Albanian women are likely to embed themselves in complex social relations and migration trajectories. By focusing on various cases -- internal, international, return, economic and student female migrants -- the book underlines that migration does not follow any kind of evolutionary development, according to which women go from 'traditional' to 'modern' gender relations. By providing a compelling account on the complex negotiations and tactics women employ to deal with gender inequalities, this book leads to a better understanding of gender and migration entanglements. It is a useful read to students, academics in migration and gender studies as well as social scientists and policy-makers in European countries Acknowledgements Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Motivations Behind This Research 1.2 Research Context 1.3 The Albanian Context 1.4 Research Objectives and Question(s) 1.5 Research Design and Methods 1.5.1 Research Methods and Analysis 1.6 Book Structure References Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework 2.1 Epistemological Position: Feminist Standpoint and Constructivist Approaches 2.1.1 A Feminist and Constructivist Perspective on Gender 2.2 Gender and Migration 2.2.1 Migration as a Process: International, Internal and Circulatory Migration 2.2.1.1 International and Internal Migration 2.2.1.2 Return Migration 2.2.1.3 Circulatory Migration 2.2.1.4 Transnationalism 2.2.1.5 Student Migration 2.2.2 Gender in Migration Studies References Chapter 3: Albanian Context 3.1 Albania: Some Historical Markers 3.1.1 Pre-1991 Period—A Country Weakened by Wars and Isolation 3.1.2 Post-1991—The Long Transition 3.2 Migration in Albania 3.2.1 Post-1991 Migration—The Entanglement of Internal and International Migration 3.2.1.1 International Migration 3.2.1.2 Internal Migration 3.2.1.3 Return Migration 3.2.2 Tirana: A ‘Magnet’ for Internal and Return Migration 3.3 The Situation of Women in Albania 3.3.1 Women’s Situation Before 1944 3.3.2 ‘Women’s Emancipation Model’—The Communist Period 3.3.3 Post-1991 Period—A Brief Presentation of Women’s Situation References Chapter 4: Balancing Opportunities and Constraints: The Experiences of Internal Migrant Women in Tirana 4.1 Pre-migration: Life in the Cities and Villages of Origin 4.2 Moving to Tirana 4.3 Balancing Opportunities and Constraints: The Experiences of Internal Migrant Women in Tirana 4.3.1 Accessing the Labour Market in Tirana: The Double Face of Informality 4.3.2 Domestic Care Workers and Complex Care Chains in Tirana 4.3.3 Relations in Extended Families: Shifting Toward a Nuclear Family Life 4.3.4 Negotiating Gender Roles and Relations Within the Nuclear Family 4.4 Conclusion—Discussing the Findings References Chapter 5: Returned, Yet Still Not Back: The ‘Status Paradox’ of International Female Migrants Returning to Albania 5.1 Leaving Albania 5.1.1 Multiple Motivations to Migrate Abroad 5.1.2 Crossing Country Borders – The Role of Social Networks 5.2 Life Abroad 5.2.1 Filling the Care Gap in Greece and Italy 5.2.2 Engaging in Pendular Migration Practices 5.3 Return from Abroad and Life in Tirana 5.3.1 Returning from Abroad 5.3.2 Return by Moving to a New Destination, Tirana 5.3.3 Manifesting the Entrepreneurial Spirit 5.3.4 Tirana as a Space of Entangled Care Chains 5.3.5 Circular, Return and Remigration Projects: What’s Next? 5.4 Conclusions—Discussing the Findings References Chapter 6: Education as a Platform for Migration – Young Women Migrating to the ‘Big City’ on Their Own 6.1 The Pre-migration Phase—Rationalising Migration 6.1.1 Education as a Platform for Migration 6.1.2 Parents’ Role in the Decision to Migrate to Tirana 6.1.3 Transiting to Tirana, with Parents’ Support 6.2 Life in Tirana 6.2.1 Anonymity as Freedom 6.2.2 The Other Side of the Paradox: New Gendered and Sexualised Prejudices and Constraints 6.2.2.1 Mobilising One’s Erotic Capital 6.2.2.2 Financial Uncertainties and Precarious Jobs 6.2.2.3 Sexual Harassment 6.2.3 Marriage and Family Formation — Discourses and Practices 6.2.4 Tirana as a ‘Jumping Board’ to the Future 6.3 Conclusions—Discussing the Findings References Chapter 7: International Student Returnees: Nowhere at Home 7.1 Pre-Migration Phase—Between Individual Desires and Family Support 7.1.1 Migration Driven by a Diverse Set of Motivations 7.1.2 Making Migration Possible—Relying on ‘Parental Support 7.1.3 Organising One’s Migration: Relying on the Support of Social Networks 7.2 Transition Phase—Life Abroad 7.2.1 Facing Anonymity 7.2.2 A New Gendered Division of Space and Time 7.3 Tirana as a ‘Middle Ground’ 7.3.1 Reasons for Returning 7.3.2 Choosing Tirana as a Middle Ground 7.3.3 Tirana: Between ‘Estrangement’ and ‘Homemaking’ 7.3.4 Employment in Tirana 7.3.5 Return Migration as a Transitional Phase 7.4 Conclusions—Discussing the Findings References Chapter 8: Conclusions 8.1 Key Results 8.1.1 The Complex Relationship Between Gender, Migration and Education 8.1.2 The Dynamics of Social Networks 8.1.3 Gendered Return Experiences 8.1.4 From Care Chains to Care Webs: Women’s Caregiver Role 8.1.5 Tirana as a Site of Paradoxical Gendered Migratory Experiences 8.2 Dilemmas, Limitations and Some Self-Critical Reflections on Further Research Avenues References