| dc.description.abstract | This study sought to uncover the economic, social and
psychological impacts of migration on migrant families.
The study critically examines theoretical models which
put forward rationalistic motives as explaining the origins,
causes and reasons for accelerating rural-to-urban migration
and comes to the conclusion that:
1. Large-scale labour participation in Kenya had to
be imposed through a structure of incentives and
pressures since many Africans attempted to limit
the disruptive impact of labour demands and retain
a measure of control over their own lives. They,
however, do not explain the factors supporting
and accelerating the process, which is our concern
now.
2. It is necessary for a migrant to maintain a linkage
to the rural place of origin such that his wage
income supplements the farm income. This pro~ably
explains the persistence of the migration phenomenon.
The methodology employed for this study involved a study
of the attitudes of rural women whose husbands reside in Nairobi
and are left behind in the rural area with the children, and
(ix)
a follow-up study of migrants from the same area living in Nairobi.
Attitudes were examined here because it was assumed that attitudes
are psychological reflections of the social dynamics in a society.
At the urban end, this study examined the frequency of
interaction of migrants with their rural-based families; forms
of assistance directed to the family members; and other associated
attitudes.
This study therefore, examined the positive and negative
attributes of the migration process in respect to the general
welfare of migrant families.
This dissertation is divided into five chapters. Chapter
One is essentially an introduction highlighting the problem
of study, the hypotheses, the objectives of the study and its
justifications.
Chapter Two consists of a review of related literature
concentrating on the history and origins of wage labour in Kenya;
the causes and persistence of rural-urban migration; and an
overview of the theories on its impact.
Chapter Three consists of the background information on
the study area; cites the study population; and outlines the
methodology applied in data collection.
(x)
Chapter Four involves the presentation of the data which
was analysed for this project. It involved the testing of the
earlier raised hypotheses.
Finally, Chapter Five contains the summary of the study
and the recommendations aimed at enhancing on further improvement
of family welfare. | en |
