Moving across (Im)mobility categories: the importance of values, family and adaptation for migration

The aspiration-capability framework introduces four (im)mobility categories – mobility, voluntary immobility, involuntary immobility and acquiescent which have received considerable attention. However, few studies examined how people move across such categories. Drawing on the migration experiences of 17 self-identified Latin American gay individuals, this paper shows prospective migrants can be pushed into a state by their families, they adapt to overcome fulfill aspirations. article finds, firstly, that heteronormative values familial expectations regarding sexuality shape possibility mobilizing family’s economic, informative emotional resources. Secondly, I discuss adaptation strategies individuals use surpass immobility. To understand movement categories, as well role social boundaries for migration, differentiates between individual collective aspirations capabilities. In doing so, an approach explore interactions groups group members projects latter.