Introduction

The consequences of migration are rarely integrated into solid theoretical constructions. The main approach in the literature seems to be focused on designing theories that explain the determinants of migration. ‘Neoclassical economics’, ‘new economics’, ‘segmented labour market’, ‘world system’, ‘social capital’ or ‘cumulative causation’ theories (Massey, Arango, Hugo, Kouaouci, Pellegrino & Taylor 1998) are all centred primarily on determinants of international migration rather than the discussion of the consequences of this phenomenon. This situation can be partly explained by the fact that it is quite difficult to build a theory of migration consequences, as consequences could be intended or unintended, manifest or latent, short-, medium- or long-term, at individual, household, community, region or national levels, at origin or at destination. The typical solution to this problem is to talk about ‘migration and development’ for particular countries (Escobar, Haibronner, Martin & Meza 2006) or about specific consequences of migration (Dayton-Johnson, Katseli, Maniatis, Muntz & Papademetriou 2007).

Understanding the causes of the migration process could be useful in portraying its consequences. The logic of cumulative causation in explaining migration (Massey et al. 1998: 45-50), for example, could be relevant for understanding specific chains of migration consequences. Migration culture, as a key term in the cumulative causation theory of migration, could also be highly relevant for changes that are generated by migration, but that have effects going in different directions or spheres. Changes in origin countries’ local mentalities shaped by external migration experiences could be responsible for new family behaviours and new household economic patterns. Temporary migration abroad induces changes at origin that are mediated by three basic intermediary variables: remittances, network capital and changes in ‘mentality’. It is quite difficult to find changes induced by migration at individual, household, community or regional levels that are not mediated by these variables. Starting from this perspective, this chapter seeks to reconstruct a causal chain that explains changes in demographic behaviour at the family and community levels in Romania, as induced by temporary emigration abroad after 1989.

Circular or temporary migration abroad from Romania is a rather recent phenomenon. Between 1989 and 1996, Romanians explored the world outside Romania, trying to identify appropriate niches where they could fit in and function, using their own resources and cultural abilities (Sandu 2006).