Who Goes Next? The Gendered Expansion of Mexican and Senegalese Migrant Sibling Networks in Space and Time

Abstract

The migration literature shows that individuals whose siblings have migrated abroad are more likely to migrate, yet we know little about sibling migrant networks. We use MMP and MAFE-Senegal survey data to compare migration patterns in two very disparate contexts (Mexico and Senegal) in an attempt to assess the scope, manner, and generalizability of sibling network migration patterns. Our results show that while Senegalese families are likely to have one international migrant, Mexican families are likely to send two or more members abroad. Sibling migrations from Mexico fall closer together in time than do those from Senegal, suggesting joint sibling migration. Also, while Mexican sibling networks did not seem to contribute to the expansion of Mexican migrant destinations, Senegalese sibling networks did contribute (slightly) to the expansion of Senegalese migration. Sibling networks in both settings contributed considerably to the feminization of migration.