Marriage migrants from Turkey: Hopes, Realities, and a Life In-between: A case study of the migrant experience of female marriage migrants living in Vollsmose
Translated title
Ægteskabsmigranter fra Tyrkiet: Håb, realiteter og et liv midt imellem: Et case studie a migrantoplevelsen blandt tyrkiske ægteskabsmigranter i Vollsmose
Author
Jørgensen, Kim Lindgaard
Term
4. term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-08-31
Pages
212
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan kvindelige tyrkiske ægteskabsmigranter i Vollsmose oplever livet i Danmark. Det bygger på semistrukturerede livshistorieinterviews med seks kvinder og er et induktivt casestudie. For at forstå deres erfaringer anvendes en teoretisk ramme om social anerkendelse (at blive set og respekteret), social kontrol (normer og uformelle regler i hverdagen) og social eksklusion (at holdes ude af vigtige fællesskaber). De fleste kvinder kommer til Danmark gennem arrangerede ægteskaber og ønskede ikke at forlade Tyrkiet. Deres viden om Danmark er begrænset og formet af fortællinger fra den kommende mand og svigerfamilie samt af et idealiseret billede af Europa, skabt af feriebesøg fra tyrkiske udvandrere, der fremstod rige og frie. Kvinderne håbede at få en uddannelse og et godt arbejde, ofte forstået som at hjælpe andre – ældre, børn, udsatte grupper og andre indvandrere – og mange var samtidig realistiske om udfordringerne. Efter ankomsten blev virkeligheden ofte en anden. I begyndelsen havde de svært ved at få fodfæste, især fordi de boede i storfamilie med ægtefælle og svigerfamilie. Uformel kontrol i hjemmet begrænsede deres muligheder for at deltage i uddannelse og sociale aktiviteter, som er centrale for at lære dansk. Flere valgte derfor lavtlønnet og hårdt arbejde for at sikre økonomisk og social tryghed frem for at forfølge uddannelse. Mangel på anerkendelse og lavt selvværd gjorde integrationen vanskelig. De forlod familien i en ung alder og havde svært ved at blive en del af den nye familie i Danmark, hvilket gav en følelse af at være udelukket fra grundlæggende livssfærer. Når kvinderne får børn og flytter fra storfamilien til at bo med mand og børn, oplever de fleste en stærkere tilknytning til Danmark og mere inklusion i samfundet.
This thesis explores how female Turkish marriage migrants in Vollsmose experience life in Denmark. It is based on semi-structured life-story interviews with six women and designed as an inductive case study. To interpret their experiences, the study uses a framework of social recognition (being seen and respected), social control (everyday norms and informal rules), and social exclusion (being kept out of important communities). Most women came through arranged marriages and did not wish to leave Turkey. Their knowledge of Denmark was limited and shaped by stories from the future husband and his family, as well as an idealized image of Europe influenced by Turkish migrants visiting from abroad who appeared richer and freer. They hoped to get an education and a good job, often understood as helping others—older people, children, vulnerable groups, and other immigrants—and many were also realistic about the challenges. After arrival, reality was often different. At first, most struggled to find a foothold, especially because they lived in extended households with their husband and in-laws. Informal control within the home limited their participation in education and social activities, which are key arenas for learning Danish. Several therefore chose low-paid, demanding jobs as a rational way to secure financial and social stability rather than pursuing education. A lack of recognition and low self-esteem made integration difficult. Leaving their family at a young age and struggling to become part of a new family in Denmark contributed to feeling excluded from basic spheres of life. When the women have children and move out of the extended household to live with their husband and children, most begin to feel a stronger sense of belonging to Denmark and more inclusion in society.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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