Zechner, Minna

English

This article focuses on personal stories of international mobility andmigration as told close to the age of retirement. Talking about past internationalmobility and migration, people tend to tell stories that are relational;choices and actions are often explained in relation to other people(Mason 2004). I map the relational nature of the mobility life stories in thebeginning and at the end of the stories and focus on moorings describedclose to the time of retirement. Moorings reflect the value that individualsplace on locations, and which might influence their migration decisions(Barcus and Brunn 2010). Moorings anchor a person to a specific placethrough a combination of tangible and intangible elements, such as relatives,property, dwelling, employment, and networks of connections. Atthe time of retirement, moorings influence decisions concerning not onlya place of retirement but also the kin-work and care that is necessary inmaintaining the emotional and material well-being of families (see Conway2007; Moon 1995). My analysis shows that mobility life stories told atan advanced age tend to be less relational at their beginning than at thepoint when the mobility life story is told. In a similar manner, moorings,which include other people and things such as housing or health-careavailability, may change depending on the stage of life. Children, grandchildren,and sometimes parents are given great importance at an advancedage, whereas studies, career, and adventures are emphasized during youth

LaCRIS - University of Lapland Current Research System

Relational Narratives and Moorings in International Mobility and Migration at an Advanced Age

https://lacris.ulapland.fi/files/5596808/Relational_narratives_and_moorings_JoFS_2019_Zechner.pdf

Relational Narratives and Moorings in International Mobility and Migration at an Advanced Age

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LaCRIS - University of Lapland Current Research System