DYLEMATY POLSKICH MIGRANTÓW LIFESTYLOWYCH PO BREXICIE W UJĘCIU MORFOGENETYCZNYM MARGARET ARCHER
POST-BREXIT DILEMMAS OF POLISH LIFESTYLE MIGRANTS IN THE LIGHT OF MARGARET ARCHER’S MORPHOGENETIC APPROACH

Summary/Abstract: The UK’s decision to leave the EU and its political consequences are potentially endangering migrants’ agency. The article shows how “destabilising events” are affecting the plans and strategies of Polish lifestyle migrants and their agency. The analysis is based on a qualitative study conducted one year after the Brexit referendum, using in-depth interviews with long-term Polish post-accession migrants, whose mobility was predominantly lifestyle-driven. While referring to Archer’s morphogenetic approach and the concept of social anchoring, the aim of the research is to shed light on factors that might influence Polish migrants’ decision-making process concerning their future mobility or settlement in the UK. The study’s findings lead to the conclusion that in the face of “destabilising events”, future migration plans and the agency of individuals are related only to a limited extent to structural factors. Although the referendum prompted migrants to reflect on and verify their life projects, personal factors seem to be of more importance than political events, and they are what will shape migrants’ future actions.

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