ABSTRACT
There has been increasing research interest in second-generation return migration to the Caribbean. However, little is known or understood about these returnees’ relationships with ‘left-behind’ kin in Britain. Drawing on qualitative data, the paper examines this issue in order to provide new insights into existing research on second-generation return migration. Special attention is given to understanding the reasons why these backward links are important to the return migrants, and the variety of ways that individuals maintain, negotiate and curtail relational ties with specific family members ‘left behind’ in Britain. Social capital theory, particularly the notion of bonding social capital, is used to consider the resources and support provided by left-behind kin.
