Migration Narratives Across Generations: Unraveling the Polish-German Experience
Migration often marks a pivotal chapter in family histories, intertwining individual decisions with collective memories. A recent in-depth study by Polish researchers at SWPS University delves into how Polish migrant families in Germany craft shared narratives about their migration journeys, revealing both harmony and disparity in perceptions across generations. This research, part of the IRIMTA project and published in Studia Migracyjne – Przegląd Polonijny, provides groundbreaking insights into how migration transcends being a mere event to become a complex, unfolding family saga.
The Polish migration to Germany has deep historical roots, with over 870,000 Polish citizens and more than two million individuals of Polish descent residing in the country, representing its second-largest ethnic group. Despite their significant presence, the nuanced inner lives of these migrants—particularly the interplay of gender and generational experiences—have remained relatively understudied. This gap motivated sociologists Paula Pustułka and doctoral candidate Zuzanna Kapciak to conduct a meticulous qualitative study aimed at expanding the understanding of how family dynamics shape migration narratives over decades.
Using an observational methodology, the researchers conducted detailed interviews with 22 members of Polish migrant families living in Germany. The cohort consisted of parents who emigrated roughly 25 years ago in their young adulthood, alongside their children aged 18 to 29. These young adults fell into the categories of 1.5 generation migrants—those who moved during childhood—and second generation migrants, who were born in Germany. This intergenerational dyad approach allowed the researchers to compare and contrast how migration is collectively remembered and emotionally processed within families.
Interestingly, the study found strong parallels in how parents and their adult children recount their shared migration stories. Whether the accounts expressed positivity or highlighted hardship, both generations referenced common key events and experiences. However, a critical distinction emerged: the 1.5 generation children sometimes expressed a diminished sense of agency regarding the migration decision. Many recalled feelings of protest or resistance towards leaving Poland during childhood—sentiments that were often unnoticed or unacknowledged at the time. In contrast, the second generation migrants, having been born in Germany, did not display this form of ambivalence. From the parents’ perspective, migration remained an intentional choice embodying agency and self-determination, even when weighed against complex motivations and retrospective doubts about relocation.
Gendered dimensions of migration motivation presented another striking result. Women frequently emphasized emotional reasons for moving, such as following a beloved partner, reuniting with family, or enacting perceived spousal duties. In contrast, male respondents foregrounded economic incentives, underscoring Germany’s promise of better career opportunities and a capacity to fulfill traditional provider roles. This clear gender divide in migration rationales illuminates how deeply personal and socio-economic factors intertwine in migration decisions, shaping family roles and identities in transnational contexts.
One of the most compelling contributions of the study is its focus on the younger generation’s active role in constructing and perpetuating family migration narratives. The research revealed that even second generation migrants born and raised outside Poland possessed a sophisticated understanding of why their parents chose to move and were engaged participants in recounting these stories. Notably, synchronised negative assessments of migration by both parents and children were often associated with familial strains such as relationship challenges and struggles with cultural integration, demonstrating the impact of migration beyond economic or geopolitical dimensions.
How families navigate adaptation difficulties is a crucial question explored by the researchers. Kapciak emphasizes the necessity of seeking multifaceted support—professional, such as psychological, legal, and vocational assistance, as well as social, including integration into the host society alongside maintaining connections to one’s cultural heritage. Preparing children thoroughly ahead of migration and supporting them post-arrival emerged as essential themes, acknowledging the complexities inherent in uprooting young lives. This anticipatory guidance can ameliorate the “biographical shock” migration induces, especially during adolescence, a developmental stage particularly vulnerable to challenges caused by abrupt changes in social and educational environments.
Pustułka further highlights the significance of age at migration, noting that teenage migrants face intensive identity and social integration challenges, which can resonantly shape their life trajectories. While younger children may also experience difficulties, the relative stability offered by parental guidance during early years often facilitates adaptation. This developmental lens underscores migration’s longitudinal dimension and the need for age-sensitive approaches in migrant policy and support services.
Fundamentally, the research reiterates that migration should be understood not as a single discrete event but rather as a fluid, protracted process that evolves throughout individuals’ lives and across generations. Family stories about migration possess the power to unite generations under a shared identity narrative, yet they can also entrench unresolved grievances, complicating familial bonds. These dynamics have profound implications for how migration is approached in sociopolitical discourse, especially within the European context where transnational mobility is a defining characteristic.
The study also underscores the persistence of transnational ties beyond initial migrant generations. Young people of Polish descent living in Germany frequently maintain both emotional and practical bonds with Poland, perceiving their bicultural experiences as assets rather than liabilities. Mastery of the Polish language emerges as a critical form of “linguistic capital,” enriching educational and labor market opportunities, and facilitating fluid interconnection between their Polish heritage and German surroundings. This lens challenges monolithic notions of migrant assimilation, promoting recognition of dynamic identity intersections within diasporic communities.
Policy implications arising from these findings are multifaceted. Both Poland and Germany stand to benefit from recognizing the integral role the 1.5 and second generation migrants play as cultural and political bridges between countries. These young adults often view their dual heritage as a resource and advocate for policies that validate and empower their transnational identities. The study highlights a perceived gap in official Polish migration programs, where these youth feel disconnected or overlooked, despite their significant political and economic potential.
Pustułka advocates for diaspora policies that actively engage this population, fostering their transnational involvement and strengthening international relations. Kapciak echoes this call, emphasizing migration as a natural and critical aspect of human experience that should empower individuals to decide their life paths autonomously. This approach challenges restrictive migration frameworks by prioritizing personal agency and adaptability.
A particularly insightful recommendation concerns the flexibility of migration decisions. Pustułka reflects on historical migration paradigms, contrasting “forever” migrations, such as those to the United States, with temporary or seasonal migration patterns. She argues for recognizing the fluidity of family migration, encouraging parents to weigh the impacts on children’s stability while acknowledging that relocation, return, or delay are valid options depending on familial well-being. This reframing encourages nuanced perspectives on mobility, resilience, and the pursuit of belonging in an interconnected world.
In summation, this pioneering research sheds light on the deeply interwoven narratives of Polish migrant families in Germany, underscoring how migration resonates across generations with profound emotional, social, and identity-forming consequences. By articulating the intersections of gender, age, and transnational ties, the study compels both academic and policy communities to rethink migration beyond statistics and economic factors, embracing its human complexity as a multi-generational family journey.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Migration Decisions and Paths in Family Stories of Polish Intergenerational Dyads in Germany
News Publication Date: 9-Jun-2025
Web References:
Keywords: Migration, Intergenerational Narratives, Polish Diaspora, Germany, Transnationalism, Bicultural Identity, Migrant Families, Gendered Migration, 1.5 Generation Migrants, Second Generation Migrants, Migration Policy, Family Dynamics
