Author: Marissa Saretsky

Marissa Saretsky is a volunteer at Seva Mandir for the period September – December 2007. Originally from the U.S., but currently living in France, she is completing an M.A. in Sustainable Development at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.

In an effort to better understand the often overlooked topic of adolescent migration, the five authors of this book took to nine villages in the Udaipur region, employing multiple techniques (from surveying to focus-group discussions) to effectively evoke what lies behind the temporary relocation of so many youth. As a result, what they find and present sheds substantial light on the subject.

First, the authors approach the issue of migration in a neutral manner, which in turn forces the reader to throw out any preconceived notions about the solely negative connotations linked to the topic. While they do not discount the prevalent unfavorable implications and reasons for migration, they introduce more positive motives that can incite it, such as the search for freedom and independence, romance, and friendship. Delving into these explanations serves to illuminate typical adolescent concerns and preoccupations, a measure which could give future Seva Mandir project leaders a basis on which to develop educational programs (on say for example, safe sex and HIV/AIDS).

Secondly, the book seizes the opportunity to specifically address the migration of young women, an occurrence that a person unknowledgeable on the subject of migration might not automatically consider. The commoner might assume that only young men migrate to engage in agricultural labor or construction work. However, the authors find that about an equal percent of young men and women migrate, with the latter sometimes experiencing daunting consequences: sexual harassment, unwanted pregnancies, and even rape. Thus it brings to mind the lack of and necessity for proper health facilities to treat those affected.

In exploring the various causes and effects of adolescent migration, whether positive or negative, the reader is ultimately led back to the recurring themes of drought, poor local livelihoods, and large families, for they are indisputably sources of "distress" and strong push factors in migration development. The last theme, growing families, proves to be particularly difficult, as small plots of land are expected to feed ever-burgeoning households.

What then is the solution? The authors, as previously mentioned, are not advocates of putting an end to migration of youth, as this has often proved to be an effective means of solving basic alimentary shortage problems, or providing increased income to overcome hurdles such as health treatment expenditure. Rather than aim to put a halt to adolescent migration, the authors simply propose recommendations to help make it safer for them. Educative programs on the stakes of migrating and the promotion of continued schooling are included in these suggestions, and seem to be the most realistic approach to ameliorating the precariousness that comes with relocation.

Overall, the authors have done a fine job of balancing empirical analysis with qualitative consideration. They open-mindedly interpret the results of their investigation, allowing for new insight to be introduced without discounting previous studies on the topic. The reader is left feeling not only informed, but hopeful that this study will help potential projects take form to better conditions for adolescent workers