Social Assimilation of Chinese Migrant Workers: Citizenisation, Participation, and Identification

Research Article
Open access

Social Assimilation of Chinese Migrant Workers: Citizenisation, Participation, and Identification

Zihui Ding 1*
  • 1 Peking University    
  • *corresponding author ashzid@stu.pku.edu.cn
Published on 26 October 2023 | https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/14/20230943
LNEP Vol.14
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-83558-053-0
ISBN (Online): 978-1-83558-054-7

Abstract

Since the Reform and Opening-up in China, workers from rural areas have increasingly flooded into cities with the expectation of earning more money. However, there is a considerable gap between migrant workers and native citizens. As a result, the government, researchers, and the public have attached great attention to the social assimilation of migrant workers and have taken a range of measures to eliminate discrimination against this group in order to build a harmonious society. In the Chinese context, social assimilation theory has been applied in studies on migrant workers, who are often regarded as a vulnerable group in political, economic, cultural, and ideological aspects. This paper aims to review Chinese migrant workers from three perspectives of social assimilation theory. First, social fairness impacts migrant workers’ citizenisation. Second, exclusion indicates low community participation. Finally, resocialisation influences the formation of migrant workers’ identities. These three aspects are closely connected during social assimilation.

Keywords:

migration studies, social assimilation, citizenisation, participation, identity

Ding,Z. (2023). Social Assimilation of Chinese Migrant Workers: Citizenisation, Participation, and Identification. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,14,66-73.
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References

[1]. Park, R.E., Burgess, E.W. (1921), Introduction to the Science of Society. Chicago, University of Chicago Press.

[2]. Portes, A., Parker, R.N., Cobas, J.A. (1980), “Assimilation or Consciousness: Perceptions of U.S. Society Among Recent Latin American Immigrant to the United States”, Social Forces 59(1), 200–224. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/59.1.200.

[3]. Portes, A., Zhou, M. (1993), “The New Second Generation: Segmented Assimilation and Its Variants”, Annuals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 530(1), 74–96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716293530001006.

[4]. Levebvre, H. (1991), The Production of Space. Oxford, Blackwell.

[5]. Zhang, L. (2003), Strangers in the City: Reconfigurations of Space, Power, and Social Networks within China’s Floating Population. California, Stanford University Press.

[6]. Chen, C.W., Sun, J.Y. (2012), “Social Inclusion: Sociological Significance of A Concept”, Journal of Social Science of Hunan Normal University 41(6), 66–71.

[7]. Sen, A. (2001), Development as Freedom. Oxford, Paperbacks.

[8]. Li, P.L., Tian, F. (2012), “A Cross Generational Comparison of the Social Cohesion of Migrant Workers in China”, Chinese Journal of Sociology 32(5), 1–24. DOI: 10.15992/j.cnki.31-1123/c.2012.05.002.

[9]. Zheng, G.C, Huang, L.R.L. (2007), Rural-Urban Migrant Workers in China: Issue and Social Protection. Beijing, People’s Publishing House.

[10]. Yang, J.H. (2009), “From Segregation, Selective Integration to Assimilation: A Theoretical Reflection on the Social Integration of Floating Population”, Population Research 33(1), 17–29.

[11]. Liu, C.J., Chen, J.L. (2009), “The Impact of the Double ‘Household Registration Wall’ on the Citizenisation of Migrant Workers”, Economist 130(10), 66–72. DOI: 10.16158/j.cnki.51-1312/f.2009.10.002.

[12]. Tian, X. (2022), “Implicit Barriers,Urban Integration and Willingness of Agricultural Registered Migrants to Settle Down”, Issues in Agricultural Economy 45–58. DOI: 10.13246/j.cnki.iae.2022.12.001.

[13]. Wu, A.L., Lu, C. (2020), “Will the Reform of the Household Registration System Promote the Rural Migrant Population to Settle in the City? Evidence from Quasi-natural Experiments”, Population and Development 26(5), 49–61.

[14]. Zhu, Y., Lin, L.Y. (2011), “Mobility Patterns of Floating Population and Their Social Protection: Moving from ‘Urban Inclusion’ to ‘Social Inclusion’”, Scientia Geographica Sinica 31(3), 264–271. DOI: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.2011.03.002.

[15]. Liu, C.J. (2013), “Migration Condition, Living Condition and Real Path of the Migrant Workers Citizenisation”, Regional Economy 83–90.

[16]. Yang, J.H. (2010), “Index of Assimilation for Rural-to-urban Migrants: A Further Analysis of the Conceptual Framework of Assimilation Theory”, Population & Economics 179(2), 64–70.

[17]. Burchardt, T., Le Grand, J., Piachard, D. (2000), “Social Exclusion in Britain 1991-1995”, Social Policy & Administration, 3(3), 227–244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9515.00148.

[18]. Richardson, L., Le Grand, J. (2002), “Outsider and Insider Expertise: The Response of Residents of Deprived Neighbourhoods to an Academic Definition of Social Exclusion”, Social Policy & Administration, 36(5), 496–515. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9515.00299.

[19]. Liu, J.E. (2010), “Social Inclusion for Rural-Urban Migrants in Urban of China: An Approach to Analyze the Social Inclusion Policy of European Union”, Urban Development Studies 17(11), 106–112.

[20]. Lu, L. (2007), “The Dilemma of Engagement and Exclusion: The Embarrassing Situation for Peasant Workers in the City”, Journal of Southwest University (Social Sciences Edition) 33(6), 97–103. DOI: 10.13718/j.cnki.xdsk.2007.06.022.

[21]. Li, Q. (2004), “Sociological ‘Deprivation’ Theory and the Problem of Migrant Workers in China”, Academics, 7–22.

[22]. Durkheim, M. (2004), Da divisao do trabalho social. São Paulo, Martins Fontes.

[23]. Ren, Y., Qiao, N. (2010), “Social Integration for Migrants: Process, Measurement and Determinants”, Population Research 34(2), 11–20.

[24]. Liu, J.E. (2010), “A Study on Rural-Urban Migrants’ Practical Strategies for Social Inclusion: Towards a Community Inclusion Approach”, Chinese Journal of Sociology 30(1), 127–151. DOI: 10.15992/j.cnki.31-1123/c.2010.01.004.

[25]. Palmer, N.A., Perkins, D.D., Xu, Q.W. (2010), “Social capital and community participation among migrant workers in China”, Journal of Community Psychology 39(1), 89–105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20419.

[26]. Yang, J.H., Zhang, J.J. (2016), “Human Capital and Migrants’ Assimilation in China”, Population Research 40(4), 3–20.

[27]. Li, W.L. (2010), “The Social Inclusion of the Urban Ethnic Floating Population”, Heilongjiang National Series 115(2), 35–30. DOI: 10.16415/j.cnki.23-1021/c.2010.02.021.

[28]. Chen, Y. (2008), “Social Exclusion and Evolution in Floating Minorities Population Merging into Cities”, Journal of South-Central Minzu University (Humanities and Social Sciences) 162(4), 42–45. DOI: 10.19898/j.cnki.42-1704/c.2008.04.006.

[29]. Tian, K. (1995), “Investigation, Analysis and Reflection on the Adaptability of Migrant Workers Merging into the City”, Social Science Research, 90–95.

[30]. Zhu, L. (2002), “On the Urban Adaptability of the Peasant—Worker Strata”, Jianghai Academic Journal, 82–88+206.

[31]. Chen, X.F., Tian, Z.F., Qian, M.H. (2010), “How is the Social Integration of Migrant Workers Possible – Analysis and Research Based on Theory”, Theoretical Exploration, 92–94+103.

[32]. Xiang, H.L. (2013), “Study on the Present Situation of the Social Integration of Female Migrant Workers and Its Affecting Factors: Based on the Survey of Three Cities of Hubei Province”, China Polulation, Resources and Environment 23(1), 103–110.

[33]. Liu, J.F., Wei, H.K. (2022), “How Does Dialect Distance Affect Permanent Migration Intension of Migrant Workers: From the Perspective of Social Integration”, China Rural Survey, 34–52.


Cite this article

Ding,Z. (2023). Social Assimilation of Chinese Migrant Workers: Citizenisation, Participation, and Identification. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,14,66-73.

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Volume title: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Philosophical Inquiries

ISBN:978-1-83558-053-0(Print) / 978-1-83558-054-7(Online)
Editor:Javier Cifuentes-Faura, Enrique Mallen
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Conference date: 7 August 2023
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.14
ISSN:2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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References

[1]. Park, R.E., Burgess, E.W. (1921), Introduction to the Science of Society. Chicago, University of Chicago Press.

[2]. Portes, A., Parker, R.N., Cobas, J.A. (1980), “Assimilation or Consciousness: Perceptions of U.S. Society Among Recent Latin American Immigrant to the United States”, Social Forces 59(1), 200–224. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/59.1.200.

[3]. Portes, A., Zhou, M. (1993), “The New Second Generation: Segmented Assimilation and Its Variants”, Annuals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 530(1), 74–96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716293530001006.

[4]. Levebvre, H. (1991), The Production of Space. Oxford, Blackwell.

[5]. Zhang, L. (2003), Strangers in the City: Reconfigurations of Space, Power, and Social Networks within China’s Floating Population. California, Stanford University Press.

[6]. Chen, C.W., Sun, J.Y. (2012), “Social Inclusion: Sociological Significance of A Concept”, Journal of Social Science of Hunan Normal University 41(6), 66–71.

[7]. Sen, A. (2001), Development as Freedom. Oxford, Paperbacks.

[8]. Li, P.L., Tian, F. (2012), “A Cross Generational Comparison of the Social Cohesion of Migrant Workers in China”, Chinese Journal of Sociology 32(5), 1–24. DOI: 10.15992/j.cnki.31-1123/c.2012.05.002.

[9]. Zheng, G.C, Huang, L.R.L. (2007), Rural-Urban Migrant Workers in China: Issue and Social Protection. Beijing, People’s Publishing House.

[10]. Yang, J.H. (2009), “From Segregation, Selective Integration to Assimilation: A Theoretical Reflection on the Social Integration of Floating Population”, Population Research 33(1), 17–29.

[11]. Liu, C.J., Chen, J.L. (2009), “The Impact of the Double ‘Household Registration Wall’ on the Citizenisation of Migrant Workers”, Economist 130(10), 66–72. DOI: 10.16158/j.cnki.51-1312/f.2009.10.002.

[12]. Tian, X. (2022), “Implicit Barriers,Urban Integration and Willingness of Agricultural Registered Migrants to Settle Down”, Issues in Agricultural Economy 45–58. DOI: 10.13246/j.cnki.iae.2022.12.001.

[13]. Wu, A.L., Lu, C. (2020), “Will the Reform of the Household Registration System Promote the Rural Migrant Population to Settle in the City? Evidence from Quasi-natural Experiments”, Population and Development 26(5), 49–61.

[14]. Zhu, Y., Lin, L.Y. (2011), “Mobility Patterns of Floating Population and Their Social Protection: Moving from ‘Urban Inclusion’ to ‘Social Inclusion’”, Scientia Geographica Sinica 31(3), 264–271. DOI: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.2011.03.002.

[15]. Liu, C.J. (2013), “Migration Condition, Living Condition and Real Path of the Migrant Workers Citizenisation”, Regional Economy 83–90.

[16]. Yang, J.H. (2010), “Index of Assimilation for Rural-to-urban Migrants: A Further Analysis of the Conceptual Framework of Assimilation Theory”, Population & Economics 179(2), 64–70.

[17]. Burchardt, T., Le Grand, J., Piachard, D. (2000), “Social Exclusion in Britain 1991-1995”, Social Policy & Administration, 3(3), 227–244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9515.00148.

[18]. Richardson, L., Le Grand, J. (2002), “Outsider and Insider Expertise: The Response of Residents of Deprived Neighbourhoods to an Academic Definition of Social Exclusion”, Social Policy & Administration, 36(5), 496–515. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9515.00299.

[19]. Liu, J.E. (2010), “Social Inclusion for Rural-Urban Migrants in Urban of China: An Approach to Analyze the Social Inclusion Policy of European Union”, Urban Development Studies 17(11), 106–112.

[20]. Lu, L. (2007), “The Dilemma of Engagement and Exclusion: The Embarrassing Situation for Peasant Workers in the City”, Journal of Southwest University (Social Sciences Edition) 33(6), 97–103. DOI: 10.13718/j.cnki.xdsk.2007.06.022.

[21]. Li, Q. (2004), “Sociological ‘Deprivation’ Theory and the Problem of Migrant Workers in China”, Academics, 7–22.

[22]. Durkheim, M. (2004), Da divisao do trabalho social. São Paulo, Martins Fontes.

[23]. Ren, Y., Qiao, N. (2010), “Social Integration for Migrants: Process, Measurement and Determinants”, Population Research 34(2), 11–20.

[24]. Liu, J.E. (2010), “A Study on Rural-Urban Migrants’ Practical Strategies for Social Inclusion: Towards a Community Inclusion Approach”, Chinese Journal of Sociology 30(1), 127–151. DOI: 10.15992/j.cnki.31-1123/c.2010.01.004.

[25]. Palmer, N.A., Perkins, D.D., Xu, Q.W. (2010), “Social capital and community participation among migrant workers in China”, Journal of Community Psychology 39(1), 89–105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20419.

[26]. Yang, J.H., Zhang, J.J. (2016), “Human Capital and Migrants’ Assimilation in China”, Population Research 40(4), 3–20.

[27]. Li, W.L. (2010), “The Social Inclusion of the Urban Ethnic Floating Population”, Heilongjiang National Series 115(2), 35–30. DOI: 10.16415/j.cnki.23-1021/c.2010.02.021.

[28]. Chen, Y. (2008), “Social Exclusion and Evolution in Floating Minorities Population Merging into Cities”, Journal of South-Central Minzu University (Humanities and Social Sciences) 162(4), 42–45. DOI: 10.19898/j.cnki.42-1704/c.2008.04.006.

[29]. Tian, K. (1995), “Investigation, Analysis and Reflection on the Adaptability of Migrant Workers Merging into the City”, Social Science Research, 90–95.

[30]. Zhu, L. (2002), “On the Urban Adaptability of the Peasant—Worker Strata”, Jianghai Academic Journal, 82–88+206.

[31]. Chen, X.F., Tian, Z.F., Qian, M.H. (2010), “How is the Social Integration of Migrant Workers Possible – Analysis and Research Based on Theory”, Theoretical Exploration, 92–94+103.

[32]. Xiang, H.L. (2013), “Study on the Present Situation of the Social Integration of Female Migrant Workers and Its Affecting Factors: Based on the Survey of Three Cities of Hubei Province”, China Polulation, Resources and Environment 23(1), 103–110.

[33]. Liu, J.F., Wei, H.K. (2022), “How Does Dialect Distance Affect Permanent Migration Intension of Migrant Workers: From the Perspective of Social Integration”, China Rural Survey, 34–52.