The The Impact of Intergenerational Trauma and Structural Abandonment on Somali Youth’s Agency and Migration Aspirations

Abstract

This paper looks at the role of intergenerational trauma and systematic neglect on the sense of agency of Somali youth and how these affect their plans to migrate- often through hazardous and irregular pathways. Using survey respondents of 50 youth in Mogadishu who either tried irregular migration or are potential migrants, the study revealed that migration is not necessarily tied to economic benefit but rather to address the psychological trauma and institutional void left in their inheritance. Findings have shown that there is a lot of exposure to conflict, displacement, and loss of family, which leads to a profound feeling of psychological burden and invisibility. Migration goals are closely connected to structural neglect, either in terms of access to education, healthcare, legal identity and protection; perceived agency has proven to be the most important predictor. Instead of passive victims, the young Somali people are agents created in crisis, and they view migration as a courageous action, reclaiming identity and opposing invisibility in the system. The research presents the Belonging-as-Survival model, which is the relocation of migration discourse beyond securitization and economic preoccupation and the enigma of mobility as dignity seeking, recognition, and the right to be a human being. The paper proposes policy interventions such as urging changes to address the issues by expanding safe and legal migration pathways, investing in culturally competent mental health care and making Somali youth an active participant in the solutions. Finally, this study reinvents the so-called migration crisis as a crisis of belonging--and demands a more global response based on justice, not deterrence