Emigrantes retornados y familias transnacionales

El papel de los padres empresarios deportados en la reagrupación familiar

Abstract

This study examines the role of deported parents' entrepreneurial approaches in fostering family reunification within the context of transnational families. Objective: The research explores how deported individuals utilize entrepreneurship to address family separation and evaluates the influence of gender on entrepreneurial dynamics. Methodology: Through a qualitative analysis of digital stories from the Humanizing Deportation project, narratives of deported mothers and fathers were examined to identify strategies for economic sustainability, familial reconnection, and community support. This approach provides insight into the humanizing aspects of deportation and the coping mechanisms of affected families. Results: The findings reveal that deported women often exhibit a stronger entrepreneurial mindset in reuniting their families compared to men. Entrepreneurs demonstrated resilience by leveraging skills and opportunities to create small businesses or social organizations, addressing both personal and societal challenges arising from family separation. The study highlights variations in entrepreneurial responses influenced by gender norms and cultural expectations. It also underscores the dual impact of deportation, presenting both hardships—such as depression and economic instability—and opportunities for growth and adaptation. Conclusion: By framing entrepreneurship as a tool for survival and reunification, this research contributes to the broader discourse on migration, deportation, and family dynamics, with implications for policymakers aiming to support displaced families and foster their reintegration. Future studies should adopt multidisciplinary frameworks to deepen the understanding of these phenomena.