University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Weaving in and out of employment and self-employment: young rural migrants in the informal economies of Ouagadougou

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 15:00 authored by Dorte ThorsenDorte Thorsen
This paper explores how young men of rural origin weave a resource base for social mobility in the urban informal economy by combining strings of employment, strands of entrepreneurship and continued migration. The paper is based on ethnographic material produced with migrants aged 14-25 years in Ouagadougou and Abidjan between 2005 and 2008 but draws on three extended case studies to show how young migrants’ social position in the network of kin shapes their navigation of urban economies The paper argues that young Bisa migrants enjoy a large degree of economic autonomy from their early teens, which is agreed upon in rural and urban households. This autonomy permits them to spend their savings on themselves but erodes their economic standing because they have to meet their own basic consumption needs.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

International Development Planning Review

ISSN

1474-6743

Publisher

Liverpool University Press

Issue

2

Volume

35

Page range

203-218

Department affiliated with

  • Anthropology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-05-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2013-05-21

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC