Digital Media, Gulf Migration Aspirations, and Masculine Identity among Educated Youth in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This paper presents the discussion of how digital media affects the Gulf migration desires and masculine self-identification among the educated unemployed youth in the Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A qualitative approach was used in collecting data, which consisted of 12 in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions with a total of 30 participants based in Karak, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat. The results indicate that unemployment puts strain on young men to assume provider roles, which results in frustration and identity stress. The social media, including WhatsApp, Tik Tok, and Facebook, amplify the desire to migrate by exposing youngsters to the success of migrants in foreign countries. Migration is perceived as an economic objective as well as a means of earning social respect and masculine status due to remittances. The findings of the study include the conclusion that a digital media influence has a significant role in the formation of aspirations, social comparison, and identity formation among the unemployed youth in the area.

Key Words: Digital media, unemployed youth, qualitative, KPK.