Research Description

Psychosocial Analysis of Migrant Workers

China has witnessed the largest migration in human history over the last three decades, with over 200 million people voluntarily migrating from rural areas into urban centers in search of increased opportunities. This phenomenon has transformed the urban landscape and has ultimately been a catalyst for driving China’s economic growth as well as putting pressure on the social structure and infrastructure of the cities.

The government and society continue to retain a number of structural and social limitations to this segment through means of restricting the transfer of registration permits, preventing access to public services, and discrimination by urban residents. Rural residents often experience disrespect, avoidance, and suspicion from urban residents who often view them as stupid, ignorant, and attribute them to increased crime rates and social instability.

My study seeks to analyze why migrant workers continue to choose to stay in the cities independent of economic reasons utilizing statistics, Chinese journals and news reports, as well as conducting in-depth and structured interviews with all tiers of society in diverse regions of the country.

My analysis will seek to evaluate their social and psychological reasons for living in the cities through the following criterions. 1. Employment Opportunities and Conditions 2. Access to Public Services 3. Effect on Family Life 4. Non-wage benefits, Life outside of the workplace. 5. Future Aspirations and Class Mobility

Through research, exploration, and interviews based on the listed criterion, I hope to effectively understand the social and psychological motivations for migrant workers living in the cities and ideally be able to analyze implications for social policy changes.