Cape Verdean immigrant women in Italy

Abstract

Cape Verdean women’s immigration in Italy is a unique reality made the subject
of very few studies so far. This paper presents the first results of some research
conducted by administering fifty in-depth interviews. In particular, it highlights
the differences between the first and second generations of immigrants regarding
their social and professional mobility, also focusing on the close intergenerational
relationships between these women. It thus appears that, in addition to improving
their standard of living, one of the main objectives of these women is to raise
a family in Italy or to be reunited with their children left at home. Of particular
interest is the ability to manage this delicate moment of family reunification by
both mothers and daughters, who, thanks to their efforts in studying, find better
employment compared to their mothers.