Notable E-Book: Transnational Migration, Gender and Rights

Did you know that we had eBooks as part of our Emerald database? We do. Although these are neither traditional reference books nor conventional single-author "monographs." They are actually themed volumes that are part of scholarly "annual" series.

Featured this month is a collection of scholarly essays that might appeal to anyone interested in globalization, social justice, or women's studies. The title is Transnational Migration, Gender and Rights, and it is volume in the series Advances in Ecopolitics which "includes a range of publications [that] discuss a significant element in the environmental theory which now represent an important aspect of sustainable living." This includes "insights into real alternatives to the current economic malaise, with an examination of key themes such as transition towns, sustainable utopias, co-operative farming, sustainability and activism, ecofeminism, green protectionism, intentional communities, environmental justice, environmental movements, green philosophies, politics and green economics."

This particular volume examines the "increase in the migration from poor and conflict ridden states to the affluent peaceful north." The summary for the collection states that "there are of course not only push factors causing migrants to leave, but also pull factors as when the middle classes enjoy an increase in their living standards which cause them to employ domestic help in their homes." The book examines the fact that since many females migrate as domestic workers like nannies and au pairs, they are especially vulnerable to exploitation, wage inequity and issues of forced migration/trafficking.

Be aware that these scholarly anthologies don't read like popular books. But as one chapter abstract indicates: "We want to better understand how migrant women negotiate the dynamic intersections of race, gender and citizenship identities in new places in order to survive, prosper and exert influence in new places and economic environments."

That's a topic worth examining!