Hooked by Hukou: The Adaptation of Young Migrants to Shanghai

Ziqin Wei

doi:10.54691/xeqkb717

Authors

Ziqin Wei

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/xeqkb717

Keywords:

Hukou system, teenage migrants, cultural adaptation, structural inequality, avoidant attachment, urban integration, socio-economic capital, psychological development.

Abstract

This paper proposes to study the adaptation of young migrants into the city of Shanghai, and depending upon whether they have Hukou. It extends previous work on migration adaptation by focusing on a young population and looking at internal migration in a national context marked by the unique limitations to mobility imposed by Hukou policy. It based on focus group discussions conducted with 9 migrants, the study suggests a strong economic segregation on the adaptation experiences of teenage migrants – with wealthy migrants with Hukou being integrated, while poor migrants tend to be marginalized. The paper advocates for more social awareness and programming in favor of teenage migrants to ensure they are less confused by their cultural identity.

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