This article examines young Peruvians' aspirations and the role of migration in the futures they imagine for themselves, and looks at this from a generational perspective. The paper uses a biographical approach that sees migration as part of individual biographies as well as social structures and life-course processes. The aim is to deepen understanding of the social contexts in which aspirations for and by children are generated, paying close attention to family migration histories, dynamic household contexts, and children's migration networks. The analysis focuses on the time-spaces of migration aspirations, showing the way past, present and future are interconnected. It also emplaces aspirations by focusing on the way aspirations by and for children are constituted in and through particular places. The conclusion reflects on the role of poverty and argues that 'aspirations' are about much more than abstract "futures"; they orient actions in the present and say a great deal about young people's current realities and relationships.

Highlights The article explores the social contexts in which young people's migration aspirations are generated in Peru. Analysis relies on a biographical approach to migration drawing on multi-generational accounts. Children's aspirations are not just about the future. Aspirations influence actions and reflect current orientations and realities. Aspirations are emplaced, constituted in and through particular spaces. Keywords: Migration; Aspirations; Poverty; Generation; Children; Peru; Latin America

The full article is available on the Geoforum journal website.

Reference:

Gina Crivello (2015) ‘There’s no future here’: The Time and Place of Children’s Migration Aspirations in Peru’, Geoforum 62: 38-46. DOI:10.1016/j.geoforum.2015.03.016