A Theory of Internal Migration Differentials

The differential characteristics of streams of migration are regarded as consequences of social and cultural constraints upon the head of a household. These constraints are expressed in terms of occupation of head of household. Environmental and structural factors will be mediated by the degree of future orientation and the degree of local orientation characterizing various occupations. Deductions for several characteristics of streams are made and supporting data are included. T HE problem for this paper-how can we predict the differentials in the various streams of migration?-stems from the research literature on internal migration differentials. Dorothy Swaine Thomas summarized the findings for each characteristic of the streams.' Bogue and Hagood cross classified the characteristics of streams in order to determine the joint effect, or interaction, of several characteristics considered simultaneously.2 We have tried to develop a general conceptual scheme from which the results of these monographs can be deduced.3 We have then tested the scheme further with the 1935-40 and 1949-50 data on streams of internal migration in Indiana. We shall first introduce our conceptualization and then present some of our data. Consider a person faced with the prospect of migration. We will assume that the move is to an entirely new locale, and is not merely a shifting of residences within the locale.4 Up until the time when the head of the house retires, the move will have some sort of economic significance for members of the household; that is, if they are not members of the leisure class. Let us assume, therefore that the move is largely determined by economic factors affecting the head of the household-usually his employment-and that the other members of the family must move with the head. We no longer have a group decision but rather a single decision