This article explores the role of family structure and livelihood strategies in shaping decisions for selecting migration types and destinations among rural families. This ethnographic study was conducted among the Kham Magar indigenous community in Rukum East district of western Nepal. Information was obtained through in-depth interviews, participant observation and living with the people in their context. The study reveals that family dynamics, such as household size, income levels, and resource availability, influence the decision to select the type and destination of migration. Families that are economically constrained but have a larger size adopt seasonal and labor migration to Indian and Nepali cities, while families with financial resources send members to Malaysia, Gulf countries or even Europe. Smaller and low-income families involve more in the pastoral and seasonal labor migration during the lean agricultural season. Livelihood diversification, driven by economic needs and environmental factors, further shapes family migration patterns. Migration decisions are largely made collectively, often influenced by collaborative discussions among family members. Additionally, community perceptions further shape migration choices, with returning migrants gaining social status depending on the destination and financial success. The findings highlight the complex role of family needs, socioeconomic conditions, and community perceptions in determining migration outcomes, offering a nuanced understanding of migration as both an economic necessity and a social aspiration for rural families.
Dipak Raj (Sat,) studied this question.
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