This study assesses how the composition of migrant workers from the Philippines
varies with migration prevalence within Filipino communities. In doing so, this study
tests the hypothesis of past cumulative causation scholars that increased migration
prevalence results in a decline in migrant selectivity. The Philippines has a social,
political and geographic context different from that of many other countries characterized
by high migration. This study considers whether these different contexts and
contingencies might alter the process by which the social phenomenon of cumulative
causation occurs. Multiple fixed effects models were constructed at the municipality
level with the dependent variable in each model relating to individuals’ ability to secure a
job or to ties and responsibilities that individuals have to their origin community (marital
status, age, sex, years of education). This study finds that consistent with cumulative
causation theory as posited by Douglas S. Massey, increased prevalence did yield a
decline in selectivity for education and marital status. However, migration prevalence
had no effect on the gender composition of migrants, while time did impact the gender
composition, suggesting sustained selectivity by gender.