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Gendered Migratory Pathways: Exploring the Work Trajectories of Long-Term Romanian Migrants

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Gender, Family, and Adaptation of Migrants in Europe

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the work trajectories of Romanian returnees who lived and worked for a long period of time in other EU countries. To understand the evolution of the work dimension of migrants’ lives, the chapter is built on subjective evaluations of their work experiences before migration, during their stay abroad, and upon return. The qualitative methodology and homogenous sample allow us to employ a gendered perspective on the relationship between international migration and individuals’ work trajectories. Employing a classical sociological distinction between agency and structure, the chapter illustrates four contrasting patterns of work trajectories. Agentic models are differently oriented, depending on gender—men toward entrepreneurship and women toward furthering their education. The chapter points out certain features of the migration experience which can increase women’ dependency on their partners and negatively affect their professional careers.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ‘Lucian Blaga’ University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania

    Alin Croitoru

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  1. Alin Croitoru
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. ‘Lucian Blaga’ University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania

    Ionela Vlase

  2. ‘Lucian Blaga’ University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania

    Bogdan Voicu

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Croitoru, A. (2018). Gendered Migratory Pathways: Exploring the Work Trajectories of Long-Term Romanian Migrants. In: Vlase, I., Voicu, B. (eds) Gender, Family, and Adaptation of Migrants in Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76657-7_5

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