“Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in Nepal
Abstract Migration in some societies transcends mere economic considerations, becoming a culturally ingrained practice. Through an ethnographic study in Nepal, this research explores how migration aspirations are reproduced and transmitted across generations and social networks, creating a self-sust...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Comparative Migration Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-025-00427-1 |
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| author | Saroj Koirala |
| author_facet | Saroj Koirala |
| author_sort | Saroj Koirala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Migration in some societies transcends mere economic considerations, becoming a culturally ingrained practice. Through an ethnographic study in Nepal, this research explores how migration aspirations are reproduced and transmitted across generations and social networks, creating a self-sustaining cycle, and forming a ‘culture of migration’. The study discusses, how the economic necessity, together with a pervasive Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), social comparisons, perceptions of relative deprivation, perceived social status, and stigma shape individual’s migration decisions, despite varying personal circumstances. These factors also collectively produce a cultural environment where migration is idealized, and the societal expectations lead individuals to stop exploring local opportunities but prioritize migration as a primary choice. This study broadens the understanding of migration decision-making beyond structural and economic frameworks, by emphasizing its cultural underpinnings, contributing to the growing discourse on migration studies in the Global South. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-283e23ad8a514b3c96a0eb3b59524413 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2214-594X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Comparative Migration Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-283e23ad8a514b3c96a0eb3b595244132025-08-20T02:32:08ZengSpringerOpenComparative Migration Studies2214-594X2025-05-0113111810.1186/s40878-025-00427-1“Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in NepalSaroj Koirala0Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of JyväskyläAbstract Migration in some societies transcends mere economic considerations, becoming a culturally ingrained practice. Through an ethnographic study in Nepal, this research explores how migration aspirations are reproduced and transmitted across generations and social networks, creating a self-sustaining cycle, and forming a ‘culture of migration’. The study discusses, how the economic necessity, together with a pervasive Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), social comparisons, perceptions of relative deprivation, perceived social status, and stigma shape individual’s migration decisions, despite varying personal circumstances. These factors also collectively produce a cultural environment where migration is idealized, and the societal expectations lead individuals to stop exploring local opportunities but prioritize migration as a primary choice. This study broadens the understanding of migration decision-making beyond structural and economic frameworks, by emphasizing its cultural underpinnings, contributing to the growing discourse on migration studies in the Global South.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-025-00427-1MigrationCultureNepalTransnational MigrationCulture of Migration |
| spellingShingle | Saroj Koirala “Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in Nepal Comparative Migration Studies Migration Culture Nepal Transnational Migration Culture of Migration |
| title | “Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in Nepal |
| title_full | “Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in Nepal |
| title_fullStr | “Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | “Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in Nepal |
| title_short | “Everyone is leaving, so am I”: the role of culture in shaping Migration Behaviour in Nepal |
| title_sort | everyone is leaving so am i the role of culture in shaping migration behaviour in nepal |
| topic | Migration Culture Nepal Transnational Migration Culture of Migration |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-025-00427-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sarojkoirala everyoneisleavingsoamitheroleofcultureinshapingmigrationbehaviourinnepal |