Enduring Understanding
Changes in population are due to mortality, fertility, and migration, which are influenced by the interplay of environmental, economic, cultural, and political factors.
Essential Knowledge
Migration is commonly divided into push factors and pull factors.
Push / pull factors and intervening opportunities / obstacles can be cultural, demographic, economic, environmental, or political.
Push and Pull Factors
Push factors: Conditions that force people to leave (negative). Examples: war, famine, unemployment, persecution, environmental disasters.
Pull factors: Conditions that attract people (positive). Examples: job opportunities, safety, education, political freedom.
Types of Factors
Economic: Jobs, wages, industrial development.
Political: Stability, freedom, or persecution.
Social: Family reunification, education, cultural ties.
Environmental: Climate, natural disasters, resource availability.
Examples
Irish Potato Famine → push (famine), pull (jobs in U.S.).
Syrian Refugees → push (civil war), pull (safety in Europe).
Climate change migrants (Bangladesh flooding) → push (environmental).
Contextualization
Video #1: Why do People Migrate?
This video looks at the causes of migration, including push and pull factors
Video #2: 10 Different Types of Migration
This video breaks down the many different types of migration. You need to know all of these!
In Practice
Essential Question
Explain how different casual factors encourage migration.
Conceptual Analysis Questions
- What is the difference between voluntary and forced migration?
- Describe what a “push factor” is. Identify two specific examples.
- Describe what a “pull factor” is. Identify two specific examples.
- What is an economic factor that influences migration?
- What is an environmental factor that influences migration?
- What is a political factor that influences migration?
Vocab Review
Provide a shorthand working definition for each of the following terms. This means it needs to be in YOUR OWN WORDS.
- Migration
- Gravity Model of Migration
- Chain Migration
- Step Migration
- Ethnic Enclaves
- Push factors
- Counter Migration
- Xenophobia
- Pull factors
- Return Migration
MCQ:
(You only need to write the letter for the answer you select).
1.Which of the following is an economic pull factor?
A. Civil war
B. Job opportunities
C. Famine
D. Natural disaster
E. Political persecution
2. Which best describes a push factor that led to Irish migration to the U.S. in the 19th century?
A. Religious freedom
B. Industrial job opportunities
C. Potato famine
D. Political democracy
E. Urban development
3. Environmental push factors typically include:
A. High wages and urban growth
B. Famine, drought, flooding, and hurricanes
C. Access to education and healthcare
D. Political asylum opportunities
E. Cultural centers in large cities