miranda lubbers & josé luis molina the process of social...
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The process of social integration
among immigrants
A longitudinal personal network perspective
Miranda Lubbers & José Luis Molina
Migration and the reconstruction of personal
networks
Migration tends to disrupt the normal dynamics of
personal networks at a time when the individual has an
increased need for social support
The reconstruction of the network is central in the
resettlement process, as the network has a protective function
and facilitates psychological and sociocultural adaptation
Two theories explain this process: assimilation and
transnationalism.
Assimilation Theories
Three-stage model of acculturation (Park) :
Contact – accomodation – assimilation
Ilustración adaptada de Javier Ávila Molero (2008), Revista Redes
Three-stage model of acculturation (Park) :
Contact – accomodation – assimilation
A part of the network in the country of origin tends to
disappear
Relationships maintained in the country of origin need to be
redefined in form and contents.
In the country of destiny, new relationships with co-ethnics,
natives and/or other groups are formed
Ilustración adaptada de Javier Ávila Molero (2008), Revista Redes
Three-stage model of acculturation (Park) :
Contact – accomodation – assimilation
Ilustración adaptada de Javier Ávila Molero (2008), Revista Redes
Three-stage model of acculturation (Park) :
Contact – accomodation – assimilation
Classical hypothesis: A straight line convergence process(Gordon)
Later models:
Bumpy line convergence(Gans)
Ethnic disadvantage model: Complete assimilation may be blocked by discrimination and institutional barriers (Glazer & Moynihan, Portes et al.)
Various trajectories or modes of incorporation:
Model of segmented assimilation: Ascending, descending and selective assimilation (Portes & Zhou).
Two-dimensional model of acculturation: Assimilation, integration, separation and marginalization (Berry)
Assimilation in mind …
Transnationalism (Glick Schiller, Vertovec, etc.)
Immigrants construct their lives and maintain their
participation in both countries or more (!)
For many immigrants, “here” and “there” are not two different
worlds but complementary aspects of a single space of
experience
There is no binary opposition between participation here
and there
Multiple belongings
Research questions
In general, how do the personal networks of immigrants
change over time?
Is there a tendency toward social integration* --assimilation?
Can we distinguish different profiles or trajectories of change?
To what extent are transnational relations maintained?
* Social integration in a sociological sense, defined as
acceptance and inclusion of immigrants in the primary
relationships and social networks of the host society (Esser)
Sample
In 2004-’06 (t1): Interviews with 504 immigrants in Catalonia (N = 301) and New York (N = 203)
IPs: Chris McCarty (University of Florida) & José Luis Molina (UAB)
In 2007-’08 (t2): Second interview with 77 of the immigrants from the first project who still lived in Catalonia IP: José Luis Molina (UAB)
Four groups Argentineans (N = 25)
Diverse motivations for migration; typically individual migration
Very diverse occupations (reporter, psychologist, musician, …)
Relatively few experiences with racism
Dominicans (N = 15)
Labour migration
Secondary labour market (construction, …)
More or less half of them report that relatives in origin depend on them economically
Moroccans (N = 21)
Most numerous group with longest residence in Catalonia
Chain migration, mostly labour migration (families) and family reunification
The majority works in the secondary labour market (cleaning, clothing industry, farm labour…)
Senegaleses / Gambianos (N = 16)
Most recent migration, predominantly male; 42% already had histories of migration
Chain migration, mostly temporary labour migration (individual)
The majority works in the secondary labour market (agriculture, construction, …)
Relatives in origin depend on them economically
Method of data collection
Part 1: Survey with personal network instrument
Questions about the respondent (length of residence,
occupation, …)
Freelist name generator (45 names of people whom you
know and who know you and who you have contacted in the
past two years and might contact again if you wished so)
Questions about the network members (country of
residence, country of origin, emotional closeness, frequency of
contact, duration of contact, …)
Question about the relationships among network
members (is it likely that they have contact independently of
you?)
Part 2. Qualitative interview
Interpretation of the networks and the changes in
networks (with the help of visualizations):
Structure and composition
Positions of selected members
Clusters of members …
Experiences of resettlement:
Process of integration in the new society,
Changes in ethnic identification
Changes in feelings of belonging
Experiences of racism …
Transcripción del proyecto ITINERE
How do the networks change over time?
The average tendency
Illustration: Jürgen Lerner et al. (2008)
Av. composition t1 Spaniards (10)
co-ethnics in
Spain(13)
“the others” (5)
co-ethnics in
origin (17)
ego
Very close
Close
A little close
Not very close
Not close at all
Circled alters were
nominated in both
waves
Spaniards
“The others”
Av. composition t1
Co-ethnics
in origin
Co-ethnics in
Spain
Change in
composition
Spaniards
“the others”
Co-ethnics
in origin
Co-ethnics in
Spain
Circled alters were
nominated in both
waves
Change in
composition
Spaniards
“the others”
Co-ethnics
in origin
Co-ethnics in
Spain
Circled alters were
nominated in both
waves
Cambio de
composición
Spaniards (-0,2)
“the others” (+ 0,6)
Co-ethnics in
origin (-2,8)
Co-ethnics in
Spain (+ 2,4)
Circled alters were
nominated in both
waves
Now we also circle the alters
that ego nominated for the
first time but that were
known to ego in wave 1
Spaniards (-0,2)
“the others” (+ 0,6)
Av. composition t2
Co-ethnics in
origin (-2,8)
Co-ethnics in
Spain (+ 2,4)
Circled alters were those
whom ego knew for 3
years or more
Av. composition t2 Spaniards (10)
“the others” (6)
Co-ethnics in
origin (14)
Co-ethnics in
Spain (15)
Average composition
t1 t2
N Spaniards 10.3 10.1
N co-ethnics in Spain 12.9 15.3
N co-ethnics in origin 16.9 14.1
N others 4.9 5.5
Closeness (1-5) 3.3 3.5
Frequency of contact (1-7) 3.1 3.3
Closeness with Spaniards 2.9 3.1
Frequency of contact Spaniards 4.0 3.9
Stability of ego-alter relationships 42%
N = 70, * p < .05
Average structure
t1 t2
Density 32% 33%
Degree centrality (DC) Spaniards 9.4 9.9
DC co-ethnics in Spain 14.1 16.4
DC co-ethnics in origin 17.3 16.1
DC others 11.6 12.6
Stability alter-alter relationships
(for alter pairs that were present
in both waves)
90%
* p < .05, ** p < .01
Density of inter- and intrarelations t1
(and the direction of change to t2)
Spaniards Coethnics
Spain
Coethnics
origin
others
Spaniards 40% (−)
Co-ethnics
Spain
17% + 57% (+)
Co-ethnics
origin
6% (−) 22% 91% −
others 12% 13% (+) 13% 59% (+)
Is there a tendency toward social integration?
No. On average, no increase in:
The number of Spaniards in the networks
Emotional closeness with Spaniards
Frequency of contact with Spaniards
Centrality of Spaniards
Hardly an increase in:
Relations among Spanish and non-Spanish alters
On the other hand…
The networks become more local over time (the number
and centrality of coethnics in Spain increase, those of
coethnics in origin decrease)
35% of the youngest ties are with Spaniards, and they do
not differ in emotional closeness (nor in stability) from
the youngest ties with coethnics in Spain.
Can we distinguish different profiles of
change?
Results based on a cluster analysis of compositional changes in networks
Six profiles
1. Integration in the country of residence: An increase in relationships with Spaniards (N = 8)
2. Regression: An increase in relationships with people in origin (N = 19)
3. Local concentration: An increase in relationships in the country of residence, primarily with coethnics but to a lower degree with Spaniards too (N = 10)
4. Ethnic segregation: An increase in relationships with coethnics, at the cost of relationships with Spaniards (N = 22)
5. “Transnationalization”: An increase in relationships with others, either living in different countries and/or with people from other countries (N = 11)
6. Stability in composition: No change in composition (N = 5)
Example integration:
Argentinean man t1
yoga
Work
Friends
and
people
known
via
friends A
friend
and
people
known
via him
Mixed
group
Red: Spaniards
Green: Argentineans in Argentina
Blue: Argentineans in Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness (1-5)
With margin: Stable
Red: Spaniards
Green: Originals
Blue: Fellow migrants
Grey: Transnationals
Size: Emotional closeness
Extra circled : Stable
alters
Three friends and
the Spaniards he
knows via them New partner and
her friends/relatives
Work
Ex-work
Two childhood
friends and
people known
via them
Example integration:
Argentinean man t2
Red: Spaniards
Green: Argentineans
in Argentina
Blue: Argentineans in
Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness (1-5)
With margin: Stable
An example of “integration” (assimilation?)
“Definitivamente hay dos grupos de argentinos, los que se hacen cargo que están
acá y los que piensan volver o no saben… Emocionalmente me desequilibran. Yo
estoy mirando para un lado y ellos están mirando para el otro”.
“En general la gente argentina que vive en Cataluña me la repampinfla. Hay
una falta de discreción y una falta de respeto.”
“Me siento más a gusto con un español que con un argentino”
1. Profile of integration
En general:
Majority well integrated in the first interview
Half is argentinean, the other half are young people of 18-19
years (3 moroccans & 1 senegalese)
Reasons for the increase in contacts with Spaniards
Search for a job,
Change of residence,
Start having shared activities with Spaniards,
Having a Spanish girlfriend…
An example of
“regression”:
Argentinean
woman t1
Husband
Best
friends
Inlaws
Catalan
class
People
known
via the
inlaws
Family,
childhood
friends
and
people
known
via them
Red: Spaniards
Green: Argentineans
in Argentina
Blue: Argentineans in
Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness (1-5)
With margin: Stable
An example of
“regression”:
Argentinean
woman t2
Inlaws
People known
via the inlaws
Catalan
class
Family
Neighbours in
Argentina
Husband
and friends
Childhood
friends People known via
family
Red: Spaniards
Green: Argentineans in
Argentina
Blue: Argentineans in
Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness (1-5)
With margin: Stable
An example of “regression”
“Me sentía argentina y va cambiando de poco a poco… ahora que sé un poquito el idioma, ya me siento un poquito más de acá, pero tampoco completamente” “Cuesta volver. Cada vez que veo más grande a mi mamá me cuesta dejarla”. “La gente me gusta allá. Si me tengo que ir me vuelvo tranquilamente. Extrañaría las comodidades, la organización está mejor, todo más limpio, pero a nivel sentimental… extraño el sentimiento, el tacto, el contacto y acá no tengo nada…”
2. Profile of regression
En general:
Majority is well integrated in the first wave
Majority is Argentinean
Reasons for change indicate temporal instability:
Trips to the country of origin
Remigration of alters who previously lived in Spain
Temporally or not, the change corresponds with fluctuations in
sense of belonging
Work
Family, childhood
friends and neighbours
in Dominican Republic
Red: Spaniards
Green:
Dominicans in
RD
Blue:
Dominicans in
Spain
Gray: The
others
SIZE: Closeness
(1-5)
An example of “local
concentration”: Dominican man t1
Red: Spaniards
Green:
Dominicans in DR
Blue: Dominicans
in Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness
(1-5)
An example of “local
concentration”: Dominican man t2
Red: Spaniards
Green: Dominicans in DR
Blue: Dominicans in Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness (1-5)
Work
Family,
childhood friends
and neighbours
in Dominican
Republic
Softball group
An example of “local
concentration”: Dominican man t2
An example of “local concentration”
“Mi ideal sería jubilarme con 60-65 y dejar de trabajar. Creo que me quedaría aquí. Aquí el sistema sanitario es mejor, te dan medicamentos y allí tienes que comprarlos. Yo lo tenía claro. Cuando salí de allí era un viaje sin retorno”. “Leí una novela de vaqueros que decía que aunque su cabeza tenía precio al otro lado de la frontera, no tiraba de la correa del caballo. Por eso te digo que Santo Domingo te llama…” “Si yo corto el vínculo con la República Dominicana me quedo sin nada”.
3. Profile of local concentration
In general
The network becomes more local: Large increase in number
of coethnics in Spain, small increase in number of Spaniards (N
= 10)
Ethnic segregation in the country of residence
The people with this profile knew few persons living in Spain
(25%) in the first interview
They know their new contacts via interaction spaces,
transitivity, work…
Majority of Dominicans are recent immigrants
An example of “ethnic
segregation”: a young
Moroccan woman in high
school t1
High
School
Red: Spaniards
Green: Moroccans in Morocco
Blue: Moroccans in Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness (1-5)
Red: Spaniards
Green: Moroccans in Morocco
Blue: Moroccans in Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness (1-5)
Husband
and
brothers/
sisters
Friends and
neighbors
His
family
The rest of
her family
An example of ethnic
segregation: a young
Moroccan woman
trying to find a job t2
4. Profile of ethnic segregation
In general:
It occurs in all groups; a bit less among Argentineans
Reasons for this process, among others, are:
La reproducción de la vida material (empezar a trabajar en un
negocio étnico / familiar; compartir residencia con compatriotas)
Compartir espacios de interacción con compatriotas (asociaciones,
bares, deporte) o dejar de compartir espacios con españoles
(escuela, asociaciones)
El ciclo vital (matrimonio con un compatriota, divorcio de un
español).
They know Spaniards primarily via their work; this is fine but
the relationships do not decouple from this context
An example of “ethnic segregation”
“ In the past, I felt I belonged here. At school they always said “You are from here, you are catalan”. But now… many people who don´t know anything about Morocco and who only have a Moroccan name, they can´t find a job. “I will call you”. They make you feel Moroccan” “There are people who do not let you feel catalan. They have never said anything to me directly but you know they talk bad about Moroccans. And about the culture. And I am Moroccan. It doesn´t feel good, you know? “I don´t feelI belong here nor there”
Example of
“transnationalization”:
Moroccan woman t1
Red: Spaniards
Green:
Moroccans in
Morocco
Blue:
Moroccans in
Spain
Gray: The
others
SIZE: Closeness
(1-5)
Example of
“transnationalization”:
Moroccan woman t2
Red: Spaniards
Green: Moroccans in
Morocco
Blue: Moroccans in
Spain
Gray: The others
SIZE: Closeness
An example of “transnationalization”
“ Mi hermana vive en Holanda. Mis tíos en Marruecos y el resto en Holanda y Francia. Cada año nos encontramos en Marruecos. Mi hermana va un año si y un año no, porque tienen que ir en avión, pero llamamos cada semana. Y nos vinieron a visitar el verano pasado” “Este año he conocido a varias personas de Europa”. “En Marruecos cada año cambia más como aquí, mejoran las carreteras, las casas…” “Me siento marroquí”
5. Profile of transnationalization
In general:
Heterogenous profile
In some cases it is about compatriotas u otras personas viviendo en
otros países, muchas veces familiares con quienes el informante ha
reactivado los lazos
En otros se trata de grupos de amigos o conocidos transnacionales
que viven en España, normalmente de la misma región (por ejemplo
sudamericanos, africanos,…)
A veces la transnacionalización va de la mano con integración, a veces
con regresión ...
Example of
compositional
stability:
Senegalese man t1
Con margen : Estable
Rojo: Spaniards
Verde: Co-ethnics in
origin
Azúl: Co-ethnics in
Spain
Gris: The others
SIZE: Closeness
With margen : Stable
Rojo: Spaniards
Verde: Co-ethnics in
origin
Azúl: Co-ethnics in
Spain
Gris: The others
SIZE: Closeness
With margen : Stable
Example of
compositional
stability:
Senegalese man t2
An example of “stability in composition”
“Si puedo conseguir dinero vuelvo a mi país. No es fácil dejar su mujer, su familia… “ “Hay que ir con cuidado cuando vuelves porque la gente se piensa que tienes un montón de dinero. Todavía no he regresado a Senegal”. “Hago lo que puedo [para ayudar].[Antes de vivir en España] llamaba a mi hermana [que ya vivió en España] y cuando me decía que no tenía dinero yo mismo me enfadaba, pero ahora lo entiendo”. “Hay gente que no sabía que estaba aquí. Teníamos contacto en Senegal, pero no tanto, pero ahora contactan conmigo para pedir ayuda”.
6. Profile of stability in composition
In general:
Although the persons change, the composition of the network is
almost completely stable
The respondents describe their situations as stable
To what extent are transnational ties
maintained?
Transnational ties
Immigrants maintain important numbers of ties with
their country of origin – and they reactivate sleeping ties,
they create new ones in the country of origin…
Our qualitative findings show that respondents had
multiple feelings of belonging that are not a zero
sum: both can be reinforced simultaneously
Example
Rojo: Spaniards
Verde: Co-ethnics in origin
Azúl: Co-ethnics in Spain
Gris: People living in or
coming from other
countries than Spain and
country of origin
SIZE: Closeness
Active contacts of Morroquians (CASREDIN)
Conclusions
Conclusions
Immigrants maintained many relationships with the
country of origin – and they reactivated sleeping ties, form
new ties in origin…
In this short period of time we cannot observe a tendency
toward “integration”, but rather various trajectories of which
integration is only one.
At a larger interval, we would expect a tendency toward
integration based on our cross-sectional findings.
There is quite some temporal instability, that nevertheless
corresponds with fluctuations in sense of belonging
Conclusions
“Assimilation” and “Transnationalism” are not
alternative theories but interwined social processes (Waldinger
2004).
We plan to have a third wave of interviews soon.