Abstract

This article is the first in a two part series that examines the phenomenon of transnational family economies in Mexico and the United States. Transnational family economies are defined as situations in which a family’s economic wellbeing relies on a family member working abroad in a host country, and regularly sending money and goods to family members left behind in their countries of origin. For many families, the money received from the family member working abroad is their only source of income. The wages received are referred to as remittances. Mexico is the destination for nearly 21 billion dollars a year of US remittances. These remittances not only help families to meet their basic needs, but also stimulate Mexico’s national economy by reducing debt, financing new businesses, and stimulating real estate investment. In this first article, transnational family participants will be described, and the variables which contribute to the persistence of this phenomenon will be explored. The second article in the series will discuss the impact of transnational family economies on the respective national economies of Mexico and the US.