Imaginarios sociales que contribuyen a la migración irregular en jóvenes de la comunidad de Atucloma de la Parroquia Rural Tarqui del cantón Cuenca, durante el período 2022

Abstract

The present research work proposes the social imaginaries of irregular migration as mediators in the decision making process of irregular migration to the United States. The objective of the research was to analyze the social imaginaries that promote irregular migration of young people from the community of Atucloma in the rural parish of Tarqui in the canton of Cuenca during the period 2022. A qualitative approach methodology was implemented, under a phenomenological design with an exploratory scope. For the collection of information, a semi-structured interview was applied to eleven young people (five women and six men) whose ages ranged between 18 and 30 years. The results of the research indicate that social imaginaries work as ideals of life improvement in young people, who can see a better future only in the U.S., considering their place of origin as a barrier to personal development. In addition, transnational chains were identified as a nexus for the transfer of ideals, guidelines and tools in the migratory transit, finding disparity of discourses and symbols in the face of the masculine and feminine ideal. The existence of a fantasy of life in the U.S. leads young people to ignore the negative factors that exist in irregular migration, such as the rupture of family circles, existing dangers and personal sacrifice.