EstratificaciÓN social y migraciÓn intrarregional: Algunas caracterizaciones de la experiencia migratoria en latinoamÉrica

Abstract

This article analyses the intersection between migration dynamics and patterns of social stratification in order to stress different factors that need to be taken into account to better understand migration decisions, configuration of flows and its circulatory patterns, migrants' socio-demographic characteristics, chances of integrating into the host society, and their experiences in the labor market. It is argued that the migration process, commencing with decisions about where, when and who will migrate, to the possibilities or barriers to integration migrants face in the society of settlement, are permeated by inequalities of gender and social class. In addition, it is argued that in the context of increasing patterns of intrarregional migration, new forms of social stratification are emerging or intensifying. This is the case of migrants racial and ethnic labelling, perceived, categorized and placed into social hierarchies in the host society. Hence, it is suggested that paying attention to the multidimensional character of social stratification will shed light onto the ways in which opportunity structures -tied to different social hierarchies- have an impact on migration decisions, migrants' possibilities for integration, and on their life chances.