THEORIZING RETURN MIGRATION AND AFGHANISTAN-BORN KAZAKH HOMECOMING

Abstract

This article discusses attempts to theorize of return migration. By reviewing scientific theories in the fields of economics, sociology and psychology, important issues and research papers on repatriation were discussed. The ensuing rise in the variety of immigrant categories made it necessary to distinguish between different types of homecoming migrants and comprehend the circumstances and motivations behind ethnic’s returns. Because of this, return migration is now frequently examined by first comprehending its determinants. According to this perspective, comprehending the dynamics upon return and the overall (re)settlement experiences requires taking into account who returns and why. In the second part of article, addressed are the contextual factors such as the opinions of mainstream groups in the home country that distinguish return migration from migration and act as important moderators of the acculturation process, based on a study of Kazakh return migration from Afghanistan. Both the advantages and disadvantages of these models and perspectives are showed in understanding the motives and experiences of Kazakh return migrants.