Abstract
The main purpose of the Handbook on Migration and Ageing is to bring together progress on migration and ageing in a single book. This handbook, touching upon ethnicity, loneliness, welfare regimes, use of ICT, dementia, confrontation with sickness and dying, among other issues, offers researchers and academics an extensive overview of many areas relevant to the connections between migration and ageing.
The handbook has three parts. Part I defines the concepts used, Part II combines categories at the intersection of migration and ageing, whereas Part III focuses on the agency and vulnerability aspects of older migrants.
In Part I, we learn about the life course and its constituent elements. Stephen Katz and Amanda Grenier state that ‘age is a fundamental organizing principle of social life’, with ‘migratory experience…’ as a ‘…constant source of community building, conflict resolution, survival ingenuity and intergenerational care’ (Katz, Chapter 2). In Part II, more attention is paid to categories and concepts linked to migration and ageing: ‘stayers’ and ‘leavers’, labour migration, circular migration, family unification, the ‘zero generation’ (parents of first-generation migrants who may follow their children to the country of destination) and ‘left-behind’ older people. Many of the connections involve older migrants as carers for children, taking on the roles of grandmothers and grandfathers, regardless of their original migration position. Their status and wellbeing are addressed in various combinations and from different angles, from the perspective of both the country of origin and the country (ies) of destination. This analysis provides valuable insights into family dynamics and traditional bonds between family members, and sheds light on the ongoing shortages in childcare provision in many countries of the Global North. Finally, Part III addresses the vulnerability of older migrants. Authors discuss the research findings on the socio-economic inequalities and differences among migrant groups. These outcomes focus on older migrants, and more particularly on those from the Global South. The authors further reflect on the physical and mental health issues affecting older migrants, differentiating them from those of the native population, combined with their important roles as holders of culture and values, captured in the bonds of family circles in migrant families.
The multidisciplinary nexus between migration and ageing highlights relevant terms such as ‘linked lives’ (Chapter 2), ‘belonging’ (Chapter 5), ‘otherness’ (Chapter 9), ‘empty nest syndrome’ (Chapter 20) and ‘bordering social welfare’ (Chapter 19). The handbook's particular strength is the attention paid by the authors to gender differentiation between the perspectives of men and women. One example of this are the findings in Chapter 22, on the differing priorities of men and women concerning potential return to their country of origin. The handbook acknowledges that frequently, older migrants of different genders and countries of origin have, understandably, diverse needs and expectations in ageing. By offering a range of perspectives, the authors further acknowledge the lack of research into this study area, giving as an example, in Chapter 32, the use of information and communication technologies by older migrants from Africa, Asia and (even) North America.
Overall, the sections offer profound findings, supported by comprehensive and integrated sources for further reflection. The writing style is rather extensive and wide-ranging in content due to its educational approach, but in places misses the opportunity to state clearly the key take-aways. The text would benefit from a brief concluding section in each chapter or a similar implementation of methodology and synthesis. One exception to this is Chapter 9 on social exclusion, which does have a concluding section. Generally, we feel that these changes would benefit possible future editions. Such examples are present in other Edward Elgar Publishing Handbooks on similar topics, such as the Handbook on migration and social policy (Gary P. Freeman and Nikola Mirilovic (eds.), 2016) or the International Handbook on Ageing and Public Policy (Sarah Harper and Kate Hamblin (eds.), 2014).
Nevertheless, by taking a comprehensive approach to current academic developments and findings in the sections, the handbook presents possible directions to take in future analyses. Findings from the handbook could be beneficial especially to younger researchers and could serve as an inspiration, encouraging future scientific cooperation between different disciplines, combining experienced scientists working in these areas – gerontologists and migration experts – with specialists in physical and mental health, occupational health and safety at work, social integration or social security and experts and researchers interested in retirement.
Significant shifts are taking place. Previously, most studies focused on the migration (and ageing) of households with multiple family members, but this is no longer the only social structure. Current trends are resulting in far more single households. Looking at the demographic projections, we would recommend that future analytical hypotheses and research focus more on the perspective of single migrants.
