Creating reasons to stay? Unaccompanied youth migration, community-based programs, and the power of “push” factors in El Salvador

An emerging literature explores the experiences of Central American unaccompanied youth en route to the US border and a growing number of studies examine what happens once they arrive. However, we know less about their pre-migration context or the effectiveness of in-country youth development progra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Children and youth services review 2018-09, Vol.92, p.48-55
Main Authors: Roth, Benjamin J., Hartnett, Caroline S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Adolescent development
Borders
Child welfare
Children & youth
Cognitive development
Community-based programs
Effectiveness
El Salvador
Employment
Homicide
Immigration
Immigration policy
Insecure
Migration
Murders & murder attempts
Neighborhoods
Positive youth development
Power
Risk behavior
Social development
Unaccompanied
Unaccompanied migrant youth
Unsafe
Violence
Youth
Youth services
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Summary:An emerging literature explores the experiences of Central American unaccompanied youth en route to the US border and a growing number of studies examine what happens once they arrive. However, we know less about their pre-migration context or the effectiveness of in-country youth development programs thought to deter them from migrating. We address this gap by drawing on survey data gathered from young people in El Salvador who participate in Youth Outreach Centers (n = 445). These Centers are local community-based entities that provide youth services in precarious neighborhoods across El Salvador. The majority of respondents reported feeling unsafe where they live, and 61% reported that at least one murder occurred in their neighborhood in the previous year. Amidst these neighborhood conditions, many respondents report that participating in the Centers had a positive impact on key developmental outcomes, academic performance, and employment. However, 42% reported that they still intend to migrate within the next three years, and younger respondents are significantly more likely to have these intentions. Their intentions to migrate are positively associated with risky behavior, and are unaffected by the quality of their experience in the Centers. These findings confirm the importance of investing in youth development programs in Central America, but they also attest to the potency of ‘push’ factors prompting youth migration, particularly from violent neighborhoods. •The majority of respondents reported feeling unsafe where they live in El Salvador.•42% intend to migrate within the next three years, particularly younger respondents.•Involvement with Youth Outreach Centers has a positive impact on youth.•Yet intentions to migrate are unaffected by the quality of Center experience.•Policy focused on deterrence does not address push factors behind youth migration.
ISSN:0190-7409
1873-7765
DOI:10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.01.026