Women's economic and social role in migratory movements has been considered insufficiently for a long time. However, the recent flows of single migrating women have contradicted the conventional ideas of woman as a submissive, subordinate person, conditioned by men's migratory needs. The article emphasises the active role immigrant women often play especially in the social field. Many a time the women are the ones who make up family, friendship and community links in the receiving country. These informal networks, so important for single migrating women, encourage immigrant people to become part of the host society. -English summary

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Female Role population demography social change Europe Population Dynamics Developed Countries social network Mediterranean Countries sociology Acculturation Behavior migration role cultural factor women migrants cultural integration Article Southern Europe migration international migration developed country Demographic Factors Emigration and Immigration Italy gender studies social behavior English Abstract