Return migration and integration : a comparison of Italian returnees from Argentina and Europe

Abstract

Italy has a long history of outward migration, from the I9th century through to the 1970s. In recent decades this has been reversed with a strong pattern of return migration emerging. This thesis examines and compares the phenomenon of return migration of third-, fourth- and fifth-generation Italian descendants from Argentina and of second generation Italian descendants from a number of European countries, paying particular attention to France. It goes on to examine how generational differences and geographical distance from the country of origin impact on the experiences and attitudes of returnees from Europe and Argentina.