La construcción de imaginarios colectivos en torno a la migración internacional en la parroquia Nazón

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the collective imagination process that surrounds the emigration patterns in the Nazón Parish, Cantón Biblián. This work was based on the experiences of the residents of the Parish. In this way, it was possible to know how the use TICs influence the migratory processes. The findings of this study suggest that social representations related to the migration experiences of family, friends and acquaintances have a central role in the decision making process of the inhabitants of the Parish. This, in the sense that such representations and stories influence the creation of a collective imagination in which migration is a way and a possibility of improving the lifestyle of the people of the Parish. Likewise, the idea of the benefits related to migration outweighs the difficulties that the country of destination can bring, so the journey with the dream of getting a comfortable life is undertaken, even if tis means to carry heavy debts. The emotional dimension is intertwined with this journey, in other words, the geographical separation between the migrants and its family and friends. However, to face these possible vicissitudes of the migration process, the people of the parish argue that today is less painful, since the media, especially social networks, make possible to have a conversation in real time, and in that way, to keep in touch with family and friends in Ecuador. So, the TICs have played a dual role, because it presents the facts and lies of the two sides of the migration movement, and this is how the international migration process of the Parish has been constructed, which is individual, but that by sharing information becomes collective.