
The Other Side of the Fence
American Migrants in Mexico
Sheila Croucher(Author)
University of Texas Press
Published on 1. October 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
270 pages
978-0-292-72574-4 (ISBN)
Description
A growing number of Americans, many of them retirees, are migrating to Mexico's beach resorts, border towns, and picturesque heartland. While considerable attention has been paid to Mexicans who immigrate to the U.S., the reverse scenario receives little scrutiny. Shifting the traditional lens of North American migration, The Other Side of the Fence takes a fascinating look at a demographic trend that presents significant implications for the United States and Mexico.
The first in-depth account of this trend, Sheila Croucher's study describes the cultural, economic, and political lives of these migrants of privilege. Focusing primarily on two towns, San Miguel de Allende in the mountains and Ajijic along the shores of Lake Chapala, Croucher depicts the surprising similarities between immigrant populations on both sides of the border. Few Americans living in Mexico are fluent in the language of their new land, and most continue to practice the culture and celebrate the national holidays of their homeland, maintaining close political, economic, and social ties to the United States while making political demands on Mexico, where they reside.
Accessible, timely, and brimming with eye-opening, often ironic, findings, The Other Side of the Fence brings an important perspective to borderlands debates.
The first in-depth account of this trend, Sheila Croucher's study describes the cultural, economic, and political lives of these migrants of privilege. Focusing primarily on two towns, San Miguel de Allende in the mountains and Ajijic along the shores of Lake Chapala, Croucher depicts the surprising similarities between immigrant populations on both sides of the border. Few Americans living in Mexico are fluent in the language of their new land, and most continue to practice the culture and celebrate the national holidays of their homeland, maintaining close political, economic, and social ties to the United States while making political demands on Mexico, where they reside.
Accessible, timely, and brimming with eye-opening, often ironic, findings, The Other Side of the Fence brings an important perspective to borderlands debates.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Austin, TX
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
443 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-292-72574-4 (9780292725744)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Author of Imagining Miami and Globalization and Belonging, Sheila Croucher is the Paul Rejai Professor of Political Science and American Studies at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Content
Preface
Introduction: Reversing the Lens
Chapter One: Southern Pulls and Northern Pushes
Chapter Two: High-Tech Migrants: Technology and Transterritoriality
Chapter Three: Waving the Red, White, and Azul: The Transnational Politics of Americans in Mexico
Chapter Four: "They Love Us Here!": Privileged Belonging in a Global World
Chapter Five: Rethinking the Fence
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Introduction: Reversing the Lens
Chapter One: Southern Pulls and Northern Pushes
Chapter Two: High-Tech Migrants: Technology and Transterritoriality
Chapter Three: Waving the Red, White, and Azul: The Transnational Politics of Americans in Mexico
Chapter Four: "They Love Us Here!": Privileged Belonging in a Global World
Chapter Five: Rethinking the Fence
Notes
Bibliography
Index