Acta Universitaria

5-15

Authors: Gustavo López Castro, Óscar Ariel Mojica

Returning migration has become an important issue regarding Mexican migration to the United States in the last five year. At the same time the deferral decision of many young people to leave their hometowns and migrate to the United States has been a constant in the daily life of many towns in Mexico´s countryside. This has already been reflected in national statistics particularly in the 2010 Census (INEGI) and in the Migratory Intensity Index (CONAPO). Based on this information and with anthropological data collected from the field, returning migration in the states of Michoacan, Jalisco and Guanajuato, which are part of the traditional migration region, was analyzed. Returning migration has increased in almost every municipality in these states but at the same time and contradictorily, while in many households returning migration has increase, in others, remittances are starting to be received. It was also found that some households presented circular migration. Findings suggest a confirmation of conceptual notions according to which migration is a highly com­plex social phenomenon.

27-36

Authors: Ricardo Domínguez Guadarrama

Introduction. Since 1990, the combination of structural reforms in Latin America and Unit­ed States (US) anti-immigration policies have resulted in an increase in poverty, unemploy­ment, and Hispanic migration to that country. Objectives: To analyze regional unemploy­ment and the migration phenomenon based on the relationship between neoliberalism in Latin America and US anti-immigration policies. Method. Deductive and comparative based on data collection of unemployment and immigration in Latin America and US anti-immi­gration policies. Outcomes. To show the increasing level of unemployment in Latin America, the growing immigration rate to the United States, and the changing profile of Hispanic im­migrants. Conclusion. Rather than avoiding legal or illegal entry of Hispanics into the United States, its anti-immigrant policies have intensified selective immigration policies.

49-58

Authors: María Elena Rivera-Heredia, Nydia Obregón Velasco, Ericka Ivonne Cervantes Pacheco

Introduction. Deeper knowledge regarding the impact and emotional costs of migration is re­quired. Objective. To analyze the way in which women perceive stressful life events and their effects in their physical and mental health. Method. Non probabilistic convenience sampling with mixed methods was used. 62 women took part in this research. They were divided in five focus groups. They also responded a depressive symptomatology scale (CESD-R). Re­sults. The most frequent stressful life event was the physical and affective absence of their partner, followed by uncertainty and worry regarding those who have become migrants, lack of money, and their children’s health. Feelings of loneliness, sadness and anger were predominant. Fatigue symptoms, insomnia, depressed affection and somatization were also present. Discussion. The connection between migration, stressful life events and health are related to the efforts that women have to make to be able to provide for their families and to contribute to their wellbeing.

68-75

Authors: José César Lenin Navarro Chávez, José Carlos Rodríguez

This paper analyzes the role that remittances have played in the social welfare of the state of Michoacan. This role is expressed through the Human Development Index (HDI) with refer­ence to the Human Development Report of Michoacán, 2007 edited by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This study uses system dynamics (SD) methods, which allow the use of a group of variables that directly and indirectly affect remittances and welfare. In the same analysis, the SD approach includes time delays and feedback effects that oc­cur among other variables that affect migration. Three alternative scenarios were analyzed (baseline, optimistic and pessimistic) based on the simulation results that were obtained.

85-94

Authors: Diana Tamara Martínez Ruiz, Daniela Berenice Guillén Villicaña, Verónica Montserrat Contreras Zavala

Thousands of Mexican households are still facing migration of their relatives from Mexico to the United States. According to Moctezuma (2009) the state of Michoacan holds the second position in terms of the highest migration rates in the country. The earlier suggests that it is pertinent to further develop studies regarding the events that transnational families face when migration hits home. In many cases, homes become led by women, either wives, daughters or mothers of migrants who acquire the responsibility to maintain the family union between migrant an non migrant relatives, to educate the children, and manage sa­vings and the household (Salgado de Synder & Maldonado, 1993). This study presents some of the results of a larger research project and has been developed as an alternative of sup­port to help women who become leaders in their household when their relatives migrate. An intervention was designed and implemented through a Gestalt awareness workshop based on Gestalt techniques as the result of the fieldwork with groups of women who had relati­ves who had migrated. Some of the achievements derived from the community intervention are presented in the results of the study, including the self-exploration of needs, decision-making and the creation of support networks based on trust and solidarity.