Return to Aztlan

Return to Aztlan analyzes the social process of international migration through an intensive study of four carefully chosen Mexican communities. The book combines historical, anthropological, and survey data to construct a vivid and comprehensive picture of the social dynamics of contemporary Mexican migration to the United States.

Douglas S. Massey is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Population Research Center at the University of Chicago. Rafael Alarcón and Humberto González are research investigators in social anthropology at Mexican graduate institution of the Colegio de Jalisco, as is Jorge Durand at the Universidad de Guadelajara.

Preface 
1.
Introduction 
Migration as a Social Process 
Nature of the Study 
Plan of the Book 
2.
Study Design 
Questionnaire Design and Interviewing 
Sample Design 
Data Coding and File Construction 
Summary 
3.
A Profile of the Four Communities 
Geographic Setting 
A Demographic Profile 
A Socioeconomic Profile 
The Agrarian Economies of Altamira and Chamitlan 
Summary 
4.
Historical Development of International Migration 
The Macrohistorical Context 
Altamira: Microhistory of a Traditional Town 
Chamitlan: Microhistory of a Commercial Agrarian Town 
Santiago: Microhistory of an Industrial Town 
Guadalajara: A Different Historical Role 
Summary: International Migration in Comparative Perspective 
5.
Current Migration Patterns
Extent of Migration 
Characteristics of the Trip 
Demographic Background of Migrants
Socioeconomic Background of Migrants
Socioeconomic Selection of Migrants
Summary 
6.
The Social Organization of Migration
The Social Bases of Network Migration 
Development of the Networks 
Formation of Daughter Communities 
Case Studies of Network Migration 
Summary: Social Networks and Migration 
7.
Migration and the Household Economy
Strategies of Migration 
A Typology of Migrants 
Characteristics of Migrant Strategies
Case Studies of Migrant Strategies
Migration and the Life Cycle 
Migration and the Household Budget
Summary 
8.
The Socioeconomic Impact of Migration in Mexico 
Spending Patterns 
Housing 
Standard of Living 
Business and Employment 
Ownership and Distribution of Farmland 
Agricultural Production 
Conclusions 
9.
Integration in the United States
The Integration Process 
Personal Integration 
Social Integration 
Economic Integration 
The Effect of Legal Status 
Orientation to Mexico 
Case Studies of Integration 
Summary 
10.
Principles of International Migration
Methods of Analysis 
Steps in the Migration Process 
Summary 
11.
Conclusions
References
Index