Rethinking Return Migration in the Context of Rural–Urban Migration: A Study of Young Migrant Mothers in Beijing

ABSTRACT This study examines return migration within the broader context of rural–urban migration in China, focusing on young migrant mothers in Beijing. While return migration in China is often attributed to structural barriers, this research highlights the agency of migrant women in actively shaping their migration trajectories. Using Constructivist Grounded Theory methods, the study draws on in‐depth interviews with twelve young migrant mothers (seven participated in follow‐up interviews one year later), revealing that aspirations for return migration emerge early but become more concrete after childbirth. Our findings suggest that return migration is not merely a response to exclusion but a strategic decision influenced by multi‐local capabilities, familial responsibilities, and aspirations for a better life. Migrant mothers exercise adaptive agency by strategically navigating settlement choices across both rural and urban locations. Rather than viewing return as a failure, this study conceptualises it as an evolving and relational process of place‐making, shaped by gendered expectations and ongoing mobility. By reframing return migration as a dynamic and strategic decision, this research expands existing understandings of internal migration and place in China.