Migration and New Media: Transnational Families and Polymedia

Migration and New Media examines how transnational families maintain relationships across borders through digital communication technologies. The book draws on extensive research with Filipino and Caribbean migrant mothers in the UK and their left-behind children. Through interviews and ethnographic observation, Guibernau documents how migrants navigate different communication platforms - from mobile phones to social media - to sustain emotional connections with distant family members. The research spans multiple years and locations, capturing the evolution of digital media use among separated families. The central framework of "polymedia" helps explain how migrants strategically combine various communication technologies based on their affordances, access, and emotional needs. This approach reveals the complex ways transnational families create intimacy and care at a distance. The book contributes to debates about globalization, technological mediation of relationships, and the changing nature of family life in an interconnected world. Its findings have implications for understanding modern migration, diaspora communities, and the role of digital media in maintaining social bonds.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Montserrat Guibernau's overall work: Based on available academic reviews and citations, Guibernau's work receives attention primarily from scholars and graduate students in political science and sociology. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of complex nationalism theories - Detailed case studies, especially on Catalonia - Balance between theoretical frameworks and real-world applications Common criticisms: - Academic writing style can be dense - Some concepts feel repetitive across different works - Limited coverage of nationalism outside Europe Review data is limited, as her works are primarily academic: Goodreads: - "Nations Without States" (3.8/5 from 12 ratings) - "The Identity of Nations" (4.0/5 from 8 ratings) Google Scholar indicates high academic impact with thousands of citations, particularly for "Nations Without States." A political science graduate student on Academia.edu noted: "Guibernau provides clear frameworks for understanding sub-state nationalism, though the theoretical sections require careful reading." Note: Limited public reader reviews available due to academic nature of publications.

Digital Anthropology by Heather Horst and Daniel Miller Explores how digital technologies reshape human relationships and cultural practices across transnational spaces.

The Age of Migration by Stephen Castles Examines global migration patterns and their intersection with communication technologies in contemporary society.

Connected Lives by Mary Chayko Documents how digital media transforms long-distance relationships and creates new forms of intimacy in diaspora communities.

Media and Global Communication by Daya Kishan Thussu Maps the role of digital technologies in connecting migrant communities and maintaining cultural identities across borders.

Distance Relationships in the Digital Age by Shanyang Zhao Analyzes how migrants use communication technologies to maintain family bonds and navigate transnational spaces.

📱 The term "polymedia" was coined by the book's authors to describe how migrants now navigate multiple communication technologies simultaneously, choosing different platforms for different emotional needs. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The research focused specifically on Filipino migrant workers and their families, tracking how they maintained relationships across continents through various digital platforms. 🌏 The study revealed that parents working abroad often use video calls to participate in daily routines like homework help and family meals, creating a sense of "virtual co-presence." 💻 Before widespread internet access, migrant workers typically communicated with family through expensive international phone cards and letters that could take weeks to arrive. 📊 The research showed that access to multiple communication channels actually increased emotional pressure on migrants, as families now expect constant availability and immediate responses.