6533b7defe1ef96bd1276578

RESEARCH PRODUCT

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

subject

description

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.