Marriage Migrants: An Invisible and Unaddressed Form of Migration
Challenges
Migration usually associated with people
moving across borders for work, education, or better opportunities. In nations
like India, one of the biggest types of migration goes unchecked since it is
seen as an integral part of our societal structure. Millions of women move to live with their
spouses each year, leaving their parents homes etc. Despite the fact that this
mobility is socially acceptable and frequently anticipated, the experiences of
these marriage migrants are nevertheless mostly unrecognised and untreated.
Many women view marriage migration as the
start of a new life, but there are drawbacks as well, such as having to leave
behind comfortable surroundings and a sense of community. Marriage migrants are
frequently seen as only wives or daughters-in-law, in contrast to other
migrants whose migration is acknowledged as an economic or social event. As a
result, society, scholars, and policymakers pay little attention to the
difficulties they encounter.
Emotional adjustment is one of the biggest
obstacles. Feelings of loneliness, homesickness, and anxiety might result from
moving away from parents, siblings, and childhood friends. This was never taken
seriously or addressed. Rather, they must quickly adjust to their new
surroundings. Stress might be exacerbated by the urge to fit in with a new
family and live up to social expectations.
Social integration is another significant
obstacle. Marriage migrants have to adjust to new family dynamics, social and
cultural customs, community conventions, and perhaps a new language. Sometimes
individuals relocate to areas where the language, traditions, and way of life
are very different from what they are used to. It might be challenging to
create new social networks, particularly when there aren't many possibilities
for engagement outside the home.
A woman's goals for her education and
profession may also be impacted by marriage migration. Relocating causes many
women to drop out of school or quit their employment. It might be challenging
to find work in a new place due to societal constraints, restricted options, or
family obligations. This may lead to less economic independence and financial
reliance on partners. This resulted in issue of identity.
Another worry is the question of independence
and identity. Women are frequently expected to put family obligations ahead of
their own goals after marriage. Their duties as moms, spouses, and
daughters-in-law may take precedence over their unique personalities. Their
capacity to make choices regarding their own lives and futures may be hampered
as a result.
Marriage migrants may experience
discrimination, limited mobility, unequal access to resources, and domestic
abuse, among other gender-based vulnerabilities. Relocating to a remote
location may limit women's access to support networks, making it more challenging
for them to ask for assistance when they need it.
Marriage migration is still mostly ignored in
public discourse and migration policies, despite these difficulties. The unique
needs of marriage migrants are rarely addressed by government initiatives,
which frequently concentrate on labour migrants, foreign migrants, or urban
migrants. Targeted programs seldom address issues like social inclusion,
employment help, emotional well-being, and legal rights.
In order to advance social justice and gender
equality, marriage migrants must be acknowledged as a unique category. Women
can adjust to their new surroundings more successfully with the aid of support
structures such community networks, job possibilities, skill development
programs, counselling services, and legal awareness campaigns. Millions of
women's experiences are shaped by marriage migration, which is more than just a
social custom. Society may advance toward a more inclusive and fair future by recognising
the difficulties experienced by marriage migrants and attending to their needs.
Instead of being invisible, their travels should be acknowledged, supported,
and respected.
Millions of women are impacted by marriage
migration, a substantial but sometimes disregarded type of migration. It escorts
in a new stage of life, but it also presents emotional, social, financial, and
individual difficulties. Promoting social justice and gender equality requires
acknowledging the distinct needs and experiences of marriage migrants. Society
can assist women in successfully adjusting to their new surroundings by
offering sufficient support networks, career prospects, legal protection, and
social inclusion initiatives. In order to create a society that is more
inclusive and equitable, marriage migrants' contributions and difficulties must
be recognised, valued, and handled.
Dr. P. Kalpana
Assistant Professor of Commerce,
Al Shifa College of Arts and Science, Keezhattur, Perinthalmanna.
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