Process Writing Outline: Immigration and Integration

Gisela Solé Marrón Minorities (indigenous or migrant) should assimilate into the dominant culture. Critically discuss through the use of the theories we have been examining and suitable examples Throughout history, societies have been defining cultures by setting own beliefs and ways of life that distinguish one culture from the other. This creation of identity exists in order to define oneself in terms of other people and groups. And this need of identifying as the Psychologist Abraham Maslow's defines in the hierarchy of needs, is one of the upper three levels of individual needs preceded by self-esteem and the need of belonging.

The public understanding of “the problem of integration” is explained on the ground of stereotyped culture(s) instead of social inequalities. Therefore, the belief that the root of the problem is cultural affects the direction of “integration policies”. On the contrary, “the immigrant problem” is primarily a problem of social exclusion. Social and residential segregation, discrimination, stigmatization and marginalization are equally or more important than cultural confinement. Social exclusion can create subcultures, which give a feeling of identity and a sense of belonging in a harsh world. But, at the same time, they generate a feeling of being subordinate outsiders. A feeling of not belonging to the nation can create bitterness and conflicts. It may lead to disputes not only between immigrants and natives, but also between the weak, for instance, working class native children on working class immigrant children.

Cultural systems always determine and specify identities. So cultural changes and transformations reflect on the identities directly. Wherever there is cultural mobility there are identity problems. Today immigration is the uppermost cause of cultural mobility. In this respect it’s (immigration studies) are a remarkable field in social sciences. There was heavy and perpetual immigration from Turkey to European countries especially Germany, which had experienced this effect fact deeply; such that those migrated from Turkey to other European countries, were called as Almancı/Alamancı in their own country. First generation who migrated to different EU regions, because of economic reasons at first, have begun to experience differentiation of culture and identity slowly but deeply. The first-generation immigrants did not cut their ties with the homeland, returning to their homeland after retirement from their adopted EU working home. However, the cultural conflicts arose and new kinds of problems were on the thereshold. European states and societies, concerned about the increasing number of immigrants, are developing projects to resolve ambiguity of their future. On the other hand the immigrant groups do not accept the policies of assimilation and refuse to feel humiliated. They want respect for their beliefs and values . They demand to be accepted as citizens rather than immigrants in Europe. Europeans and immigrants are each trying to protect their culture and identity. Well, how are these reasonable and justified demands to be combined without leading to conflicts and disagreements? Is it correct to insist on assimilation? On the other hand, how to best overcome the problems of multiculturalism? While the Islamophobic policies are reluctant to recognize each other producing new conflict areas in EU countries, how can rational and peaceful solutions be produced? In this study I’ll handle the perception of other, exclusion and inclusion problems in EU, and discuss assimilationist policies and its harmful consequences on the social groups. And I’ll suggest proposals in the context of multiculturalism. Keywords: Globalization, Immigration, Identity, Cultural Change, İslamophobia, Multiculturalism.

This paper was published in "Syrians Under Temporary Protection in Turkey: Findings and Recommendations". (December 2017)

Journal of Identity and Migration Studies, 2009

This article tackles the concept of "immigrant integration" as it is analyzed by different authors in the international migration field. In this article, I will use the terms "refugee" and "immigrant" as equivalent to each other due to the interchangeable character of these concepts throughout the integration literature. First, the article brings into discussion the definitional and conceptual battle around the concept of immigrant "integration", and second, it will describe and analyze cultural and social integration with their presupposing processes.

International conference KNOWLEDGE-BASED ORGANIZATION, 2015

This paper addresses the phenomenon of immigrant integration within a community in terms of what is currently called cultural integration, with landmarks such as government policies in the European community and the ways to implement in practice. This theme is approached from two angles: the way in which organizations can provide services that are more accessible to immigrants- and which help increase their sense of belonging and civic participation - which means employment of migrants to participate actively in society. The first angle of approach relates to the ways in which different institutions and organizations involved in the integration of immigrants (by providing social services to them) can develop the latter’s intercultural skills. The second angle of approach concerns the ways in which immigrants and non-immigrants can be mobilized around different facets of active citizenship or around religious dialogue. Realizing a synergy of the two angles of approach in terms of cul...

2006

Policy makers in migrant-receiving countries must often strike a delicate balance between economic needs, that would dictate a substantial increase in the number of foreign workers, and political and electoral imperatives, that typically result in highly restrictive immigration policies. Promoting integration of migrants into the host country would go a long way in alleviating the trade off between economic and

Romanian Journal of Sociological Studies, 2018

The new waves of migrants and refugees which in the last years were coming to Europe led to multiple problems and controversies in the host societies, including polemics in the political sphere. In the academic field, various debates have also emerged, with regard to issues such as social and cultural integration, social inclusion vs. social exclusion, etc. Not only politicians, but also scholars try to find answers and solutions to the problems generated by the cultural impact and the various contrasts between the native culture of immigrants and the culture of the host societies. In this context, there are discussed, both theoretically and practically, views and concepts as acculturation, interculturality, interculturation, multiculturalism and so forth. The present paper aims to delineate a general framework for addressing interculturality and social integration of migrants. In this regard, after outlining the terms of integration and inclusion and their significance for the integration policies, the various types and dimensions of the social integration of migrant individuals and groups are in-depth addressed, with particular emphasis on the issues concerning the cultural integration.

2018

In recent years, European countries are facing new waves of immigrants and refugees, who follow the classic immigration routes from east to west and from south to north. This social and demographic phenomenon, whose current dynamics could not be predicted, leads to multiple and various problems at the political and social level, as well as to challenges at both cultural and structural, macro-social level. The diverse contrasts between the native culture of immigrants and the culture of the host societies can generate dissensions and even social conflicts. That is why various discussions, both theoretically and practically, have emerged, dealing with possible solutions to such problems. Furthermore, the debates are not limited only to the field of culture and social interactions, but they also focus on the initiation of some actions at the social level of policies and concrete measures to facilitate the integration of migrants. The present paper is a sociological contribution to thes...