ABSTRACT

Transnational migration is one of the major drivers of change in contemporary family formations and a major factor influencing how family relationships are being conducted across distance. While much scholarly attention has been paid toward understanding the configuration, preservation and practices of transnational families by privileging the adult’s perspective, less is known about children’s agency, views and experiences in transnational family projects. In this vein, this chapter examines three emerging themes in the transnational family scholarship where the situated agency of children in the context of family and migration dynamics is now brought to the forefront: migrant children who are part of transnational education and family aspirational/capital accumulation projects; children moving in response to marginal family or environmental circumstances; and children left behind in home countries by transnational labour migrant parent(s). The studies reviewed reveal the varying levels of agency and abilities demonstrated by these children within specific migratory contexts.