The Experience of Integration: A qualitative study of integration into Danish society as narrated by Somali and Arab refugees and family reunified immigrants
Author
Brinkmann, Lise Vammen
Term
4. term
Publication year
2016
Abstract
This thesis examines how the experiences of integration among Somali and Arab refugees and family-reunified immigrants who primarily arrived in Denmark in the 1990s have shaped their integration, and what lessons may inform current efforts. The study is based on 11 qualitative interviews (five men and six women) and an intersectional analysis that highlights the roles of employment, educational background, media representations, and social encounters. Findings indicate that having a job supports integration, yet access to education and employment is uneven depending on individuals’ cultural and educational capital. Negative media portrayals of immigrants and ethnic minorities shape public attitudes and can lead to discrimination, whereas positive social encounters expand networks, deepen cultural understanding, and ease adaptation. In the present context, recently introduced policy initiatives may improve access to the labor market, though inequalities remain; media rhetoric appears largely unchanged, and social media can both amplify negative narratives and mobilize positive interactions. Overall, the analysis points to mixed developments in the legal framework, with both tightening and improvements, and a greater likelihood of both positive and negative encounters between the majority and newcomers.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan integrationsoplevelserne for somaliske og arabiske flygtninge og familiesammenførte, der primært ankom til Danmark i 1990’erne, har påvirket deres integration, og hvilke indsigter der kan bruges i dag. Undersøgelsen bygger på 11 kvalitative interviews (fem mænd og seks kvinder) og en intersektionel analyse, som belyser betydningen af beskæftigelse, uddannelsesbaggrund, medierepræsentationer og sociale møder. Resultaterne peger på, at arbejde fremmer integration, men at adgangen til uddannelse og job er ujævnt fordelt afhængigt af den enkeltes kulturelle og uddannelsesmæssige kapital. Mediernes negative fremstillinger af immigranter og etniske minoriteter påvirker den offentlige holdning og kan føre til diskrimination, mens positive sociale møder styrker netværk, kulturel forståelse og tilpasning. I lyset af den aktuelle kontekst diskuteres, at nye politiske initiativer kan forbedre adgangen til arbejdsmarkedet, om end uligheder består; samtidig er medieretorikken stort set uændret, og sociale medier kan både forstærke negative fortællinger og mobilisere til positive møder. Overordnet peger analysen på blandede udviklinger i lovgivningen med både stramninger og forbedringer, samt øget sandsynlighed for både positive og negative møder mellem majoritet og nytilkomne.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]
Keywords
Integration ; Denmark ; Acculturation ; Capital ; Refugees