Authors

Agne Gintalaite¹;  ¹ Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Lithuania

Discussion

This paper examines the aspirations and motivations behind lifestyle migration among Lithuanians in Fuerteventura, with a particular focus on the influence of young mothers in shaping this migratory trend. Lifestyle migration (LM) is a new but rapidly growing phenomenon in Lithuania, often associated with integration into Western culture, yet it remains under-researched. This analysis draws on in-depth qualitative research conducted in Fuerteventura between 2021 and 2024. Utilizing the lifestyle migration framework (Benson & O'Reilly 2009, 2016) and the concept of sociocultural imaginaries (Salazar 2011; O’Reilly 2014), I argue that Lithuanian LM is shaped by global influences, such as values like freedom of choice and movement, rooted in the dynamics of individualism and consumer societies. However, the complex geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe, intensified by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, raises concerns rooted in historical memories of occupation. The Lithuanians studied face, or imagine facing, existential threats that influence their mobility choices. Ethnographic research reveals a distinct gendered dynamic in migration motivations: anxiety surrounding the threat of war appears prominently in the narratives of women, particularly young mothers, who often initiate the family’s desire to migrate. These young mothers frequently consider not only seasonal relocation but also permanent migration and integration into the host society. In contrast, men are more inclined to maintain a mobile lifestyle, traveling regularly between Lithuania and Fuerteventura, often associating lifestyle migration with individualistic, non-professional self-realization rather than settlement. Although this study involved a small sample, the intriguing dynamics observed around young mothers' agency in initiating migration present a valuable avenue for further research. This paper suggests that while the Lithuanian lifestyle migration case reflects global trends, it is also profoundly shaped by specific sociopolitical realities in the country of origin, revealing how cosmopolitan values coexist with sociocultural imaginaries shaped by national identity and gendered perceptions of security.