Abstract
Internal migration has been considered as an opportunity to improve socio-economic status
by people belonging to lower socio-economic stratum. However, studies lack on the role of
individual genders in satisfying the objectives of migration at the place of destination. This
study fills this gap and explains the impact of internal migration on the socio-economic status
of migrant families in Lahore, Pakistan. It is assumed that people migrate to improve their
socio-economic status. Though poverty affects largely the decisions relating to migration, but
our study highlights the role of other factors also e.g. limited employment opportunities,
exploitation at workplace and low wages. Internal migration helps migrants to achieve their
targets partially. Female’s employment is welcomed by males, but they abandon their paid
work. Resultantly, the socio-economic status of single earner families does not change. In
contrast, households where both males and females are working progress gradually. Finally,
in most cases, the perceived benefits of migration are not achieved due to a reverse women
empowerment. It results in reduced family income, which causes female’s professional
exploitation, deprive children from education, and promote domestic violence.
