We’re excited to be presenting our paper on a panel at the 70th annual conference of The Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies (SECOLAS) in Antigua, Guatemala in March, 2023!
Bordering Insecurity: How Systemic Violence Affects the Lives of Central American Youth Migrants
Abstract: This study examines the role that structural and pervasive violence plays in the lives of youth migrants fleeing the Northern Triangle. Our research employs comparative case study analysis to better understand the push factors that influence the exodus across Mexico, where, we argue, youth migrants are commoditized by those seeking to profit from their destitution. Once viewed as resources to be exploited, youth migrants suffer worse physical and psychological ruin. For the fortunate who reach American soil, the hardship may diminish somewhat but the distresses remain. The personal narratives that we use in our examination are the voices of those who have made the trek themselves. Our three protagonists – Anderson, Colel, Nuria – provide first-hand accounts of why they decided to migrate and what they encountered along the way. The harrowing, sometimes riveting, portrayals of their experience form the basis of our analysis. We rely heavily on the standards and measures of human security defined by the United Nations Develop Program and others, which we apply to our analysis. This study also utilizes literature on structural violence in efforts to better place youth migration within the context of Sen’s deprivation. Our findings suggest that the lack of human security and the strong prevalence of structural violence push youth migrants from their homes. We learn that during the journey through Mexico the threats associated with structural violence increase greatly. The paper concludes by offering several policy recommendations that aim to reduce the flow of youth migrants from Central America.
Denis Rey, University of Tampa
Steven Mayers, City College of San Francisco, Solito2Solidarity
Jonathan Freedman, Independent Journalist, Solito2Solidarity
Solito2Solidarity 