Migratory Movements in Childhood: An Analysis in Light of the Bioecological Theory

Abstract

As an Introduction, it is observed that migratory movements in childhood are still the target of few studies, despite being the center of the current problem and undergoing significant increases. The general Goal of this article was to analyze the trajectory of young Brazilians who migrated to Switzerland as children, in light of the Bioecological Theory. More specifically, we sought to understand the transitions experienced in the various systems and how they were adapted to them. As for the Method, we opted for a qualitative research. The research participants were twelve, six young Brazilians, who still migrated as children to Switzerland, aged between 18 and 25 years old, of both sexes; as well as, six Brazilian mothers who migrated more than ten years ago, they are married to Europeans and took their children to live with them. It is important to note that mothers and young adults do not necessarily belong to the same family. With the young adults, a Life History interview was used, and with the mothers, a semi-structured interview was used. The analysis was made from the Systems proposed by the Bioecological Theory, contributing to a holistic view of the phenomenon. The Results show that the mothers who were mediating had two main difficulties: the language and the lack of knowledge of the school system. The family and school microsystems have undergone radical changes. The child, in turn, sought to adapt to the new situation, overcoming crises and difficulties for integration. For children, time was essential in the past, they overcame many difficulties, at the same time that a range of possibilities opened up. These migrant children, today bicultural young adults, bring with them a new way of seeing the world and thus potential for many changes.