Mobilities, Individuation, and Agencies: An Analysis Based on Young Migrants’ Biographical Narratives in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Silvia Alejandra Tapia; Pablo Francisco Di Leo

doi:10.18778/1733-8077.17.3.06

Authors

Silvia Alejandra Tapia University of Buenos Aires, Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0106-7023
Pablo Francisco Di Leo University of Buenos Aires, Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9362-1399

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.17.3.06

Keywords:

migration, youth, mobility, individuation, agency

Abstract

Social studies point out the unequal conditions for moving or staying, internally or internationally, that young people from different social sectors face in their biographies. In this article, we analyze the migratory experiences of young people from popular sectors of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. To do that, we put into dialogue recent studies on migration and proposals of the sociology of individuation and the new mobility paradigm. We approach the individuation processes of these young people through the qualitative analysis of their biographical narratives in which their migration experiences emerged as turning points in their lives. The article argues that young migrants from popular sectors draft their agencies and shape themselves as individuals by mobilizing material and symbolic supports and accessing different social shock-absorbers that allow them to cope with three major social challenges in their migratory processes: the socio-labor trial; the family trial, and the identity trial. By identifying the discontinuities and the common evidence present in the migratory experiences of these young people and their families, the paper ends highlighting the articulations among coercions, elasticities, and strategies that these youth migrant mobilize, individually and collectively, around themselves and others, through border-links to create shelters and deal with such challenges.

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Author Biographies

Silvia Alejandra Tapia, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Silvia Alejandra Tapia is an Assistant Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Argentina. She is a Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Buenos Aires. Her research interests cover areas such as qualitative studies of youth, mobilities, body/emotions, and education.

Pablo Francisco Di Leo, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Pablo F. Di Leo, Ph.D., is an Independent Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Argentina, and a Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Buenos Aires. His publications include numerous articles in scientific journals, chapters, and seven books edited on individuation processes, agency, youths, biography, institutions, drug use, health, care, and rights.

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