Osbaldiston, Nick (2014) Beyond ahistoricity and mobilities in lifestyle migration research. In: Benson, Michaela, and Osbaldiston, Nick, (eds.) Understanding Lifestyle Migration: theoretical approaches to migration and the quest for a better life. Palgrave Macmillan, Bassingstoke, UK, pp. 163-187.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

[Extract] Lifestyle migration is a complex phenomenon. There is no clear and precise theoretical model that is going to produce the sort of explanatory power that will help us understand all the facets of this modern-day movement. If we attempt to do so, such is the folly of macro social theory perhaps, we risk losing sight of the 'other parts' which O'Reilly (2012: 33) reminds us exist in most migration stories. As Favell (2008: 3) contests in his work on 'Eurostars', even concepts like freedom have distinct empirical flavours which different groups experience along the fractured social lines of norms, classes, statuses and other characteristics. In lifestyle migration, broad considerations of the movement usually couched as a middle-class quest for the better life, need to be mindful of the other end of the spectrum including gentrification of new areas (Moss 2006), consumer ethics and the visual appropriation of place (Van Auken 2010) and migration patterns of those low-paid 'service' workers who follow the wealthier for material and not lifestyle purposes (Nelson and Nelson 2011). Many of these faces of the movement are large enough to warrant not only their own research agendas but also their own theoretical footings.

Item ID:	37445
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-1-137-32866-3
Keywords:	lifestyle migration; mobilities; social theory; Simmel
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2015 06:04
FoR Codes:	16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1608 Sociology > 160806 Social Theory @ 100%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9599 Other Cultural Understanding > 959999 Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 9
	More Statistics