e
Rural families have been forced to move to make room
for the construction of superhighways,
dams,
nuclear reactors,
plants. (cf.
Chapin,
Forced movements of
hydroelectric
and fuel-related processing
1954).
cultural groups may
consist of
lsolated family units or may constitute a mass movement of an
entire group.
During the move families and significant segments
of the group may be broken,
in some cases never to reunite.
Removal of groups and their resettlement in a new environment,
whether
permanent
or
Simple change of residence.
temporary,
does
not
constitute
The move itself is often a painful
process as individuals may be leaving lands
that have been
occupied for generations by members of the same family.
traditions and customs based on the nature
styles,
to name a few,
a
Sentimants,
of the region,
are broken and in some cases
life-
irretrievable.
Most significant is the fact that groups undergo dramatic
psychological changes which require development of new coping
and adaptive strategies in order to survive in the new environment
(Marris,
1974).
Voluntary migration requires Similar adjustments.
Individuals have made a commitment to move and usually recognize the need for developing new lifestyles and coping strategies.
Moreover,
voluntary migrants typically resign themselves
to the notion that if their current lifestyle is
changes are necessary.
to improve
A tacit commitment to change and to
succeed is an underlying motive and tends to facilitate the
total readjustment process.
WS 5011094