Intercultural Education and Migrant Women: An Italian Perspective.

This paper examines the reasons Italian women migrate to other countries. The paper asserts that, historically, women have been virtually ignored in the study of migration patterns. A growing consensus among experts is to consider migrations as a social phenomenon of global importance and under the banner of international cooperation. The reasons one leaves their country of origin are: to look for work, to escape poverty, to improve social status, to pursue a spirit of adventure, to avoid adverse political situations and natural calamities, to study, or to reunite a family. For women in particular one could add to this list leaving to sustain the migratory project of the husband. The study analyzes various migration patterns and the assimilation in the cultures of the immigrant groups. The paper includes the following sections: (1) "The Woman Who Emigrates"; (2) "The Describers of Emigration"; (3) "Values of the Woman Who Emigrates"; and (4) "The Challenge to Intercultural Education." Contains 10 references. (EH)