Introduction
Since time memorial, people from all walks of life migrate to countries in search for better life opportunities. Migrations occur as a result of wars, natural disasters or even in search for better job opportunities. According to the 2011 immigration statistics, 29,436 male and 26,948 female immigrants relocated to the US. Over the years, the difference between male and female migrants reduced drastically as a result of women joining other family members who migrated earlier.
Detailed analysis
Most women migrate due to circumstances than choice unlike men who migrate in search of job opportunities. Women join their husbands during migration to avoid being left alone. The low number of women migrating is as a result of the physical and emotional attachment they have with their home countries. This reluctance is as a result of cultural believes which requires women to stay at home and take care of the family. In the end, women have a stronger bond or attachment to their homes and families than men.
In many societies, age of a person determines whether one is able to migrate. The young and energetic women migrate more than the aged. Most men migrate irrespective of their ages since they are able to withstand long journeys during migration. Young women migrate to escape poverty and cultural practices which infringe on their rights.
Economically, migrating women are able to get household jobs easier than their male counterparts since they are low paying jobs. This makes women an easy target for exploitation, abuse and discrimination. In most cases, female migrants earn less than their male counterparts.
On the brighter side, women tend to remit more money back home to support their families compared to men. These jobs overburden women with a lot of responsibilities to supplement what the husband brings at the end of the day. In the end, women migrants work for longer hours with little or no time to rest.
In most cases, the rights and freedom of women migrants are infringed during transit or in the destination countries. The most common form of violation includes sexual and physical abuse. In some cases, people kidnap women to give cheap labor in the destination countries.
The perpetrators know that they can get away with their crime since the victims cannot accuse them due to fear of arrest and deportation. They sometimes work under harsh conditions which affect them emotionally and physically. The rights of men are rarely violated since they are able to defend themselves when attacked.
In war prone areas, women and children are the ones who bear most of the brunt from the conflict. Since they have no option, they have to walk long distances in search for safe haven. They then take the role of father which poses a greater challenge especially when raising the children.
Migration can also happen for good reasons like family reunion. Women and children migrate to reunite with their male family members. Reunion offers a chance for the women to enjoy better lifestyles especially in countries like the US where people respect the rights and freedom of women. They also get more conducive environment away from oppression and cultural practices.
Conclusion
From the discussion above, one concludes that the benefits women migrants enjoy are far less than what they get. As a result, women lose more during migration than they gain.