Migrants Who Care
As the U.S. population ages and as health care needs become more complex, demand for paid care workers in home and institutional settings has increased. This book, titled Migrants Who Care, sheds light on a little-known group of English-speaking West African immigrants who have become central to the U.S. health and long-term care systems.
These immigrants, hailing from countries such as Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, bring with them high human capital and middle-class pre-migration backgrounds. However, they often encounter blocked opportunities in the U.S. labor market and find work as home health aides, certified nursing assistants, qualified disability support professionals, and licensed practical and registered nurses.
Migrants Who Care examines the global, political, social, and economic factors that have facilitated the entry of West African men and women into the health care labor force. It also highlights their role as labor brokers who tap into their local ethnic and immigrant communities to channel co-ethnics to meet the growing demand for care workers in the U.S.
The book covers various occupational settings and segments within the health care industry where West African care workers are deployed. By sharing their experiences, the author reveals the transformative processes migrants undergo as they become producers, repackaged, and deployed as health care workers after migration.
This book tells the very real and human story of an immigrant group surmounting tremendous obstacles to carve out a labor market niche in health care. These individuals provide some of the most essential and intimate aspects of care labor to the most vulnerable members of society.
Product Details
- Publisher: Rutgers University Press; September 15, 2023
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9781978828988
- ISBN: 9781978829015
As the population in the United States continues to age, the demand for paid care workers in both home and institutional settings has been on the rise. One group of individuals who have become central to the health and long-term care systems in the U.S. are English-speaking West African immigrants. In the book Migrants Who Care by Fumilayo Showers, the story of these immigrants and their crucial role in the care industry is brought to light.
Coming from countries such as Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, these immigrants possess high levels of human capital and often come from middle-class backgrounds. However, they face obstacles and limited opportunities in the U.S. labor market. Despite this, they find work as home health aides, certified nursing assistants, disability support professionals, and registered nurses, among other roles in the health care industry.
Migrants Who Care dives into the factors that enable West African immigrants to enter the health care labor force in the U.S. The book explores the global, political, social, and economic dynamics that create this demand for care workers, and how these immigrants act as labor brokers within their local ethnic and immigrant communities. By connecting individuals with job opportunities, they help meet the growing need for care workers.
Throughout the book, various occupational settings and segments within the health care industry are examined to showcase the diverse roles and responsibilities of West African care workers. These immigrants undergo significant transformations as they transition from their home countries to becoming vital contributors in the U.S. health care system.
What makes Migrants Who Care such a compelling read is its human focus. The book tells the story of a group of immigrants who overcome tremendous obstacles to establish themselves in the health care labor market. Their work involves providing essential care to some of the most vulnerable members of society, highlighting their dedication and commitment.
With its in-depth exploration of the challenges and triumphs faced by West African care workers, Migrants Who Care offers readers a unique and eye-opening perspective on the health care industry. This book is not only informative but also serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of immigrants.
For those interested in the intricacies of health care and the experiences of immigrant workers, Migrants Who Care is a must-read. By shedding light on this often-overlooked group, Fumilayo Showers provides valuable insights into the labor market and offers a fresh perspective on care work in the United States. This book is a testament to the vital contributions immigrants make to society and is sure to leave a lasting impact on its readers.
If you want to learn more about the lives and experiences of West African care workers and the challenges they face in carving out a niche in the health care industry, order your copy of Migrants Who Care today. Gain a deeper understanding of the human aspects of care labor and support the voices of these immigrant workers.
Product Details
- Publisher: Rutgers University Press; September 15, 2023
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9781978828988
- ISBN: 9781978829015