Migration, marriage and fertility change in Senegal: evidence from a qualitative study

Nathalie K. Mondain, Université de Montréal

This paper uses qualitative data from Senegalese urban and rural communities to investigate two levels of the migration-fertility dynamics. At the individual level we focus on how the migration experience can interact with reproductive values developed in the place of origin. To what extent do new values, ideas, knowledge and wealth transform individual attitudes to reproduction, agency over reproductive behaviour and the potential to realise specific reproductive aims? At the community level migration is shown to influence reproductive behaviour and outcomes of both of those who do and do not move irrespective of whether the community is a migrant provider, receiver or part of a circular migration circuit. Community level fertility change may be stimulated by new ideas, new constraints and general social transformations initiated and catalysed by migration. Migration consequences for fertility may also be structural operating through changing supply and demand of marriage partners.