EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Influence of ethnic concentration on integration and perception

Influence of ethnic concentration on integration and perception

Introduction

This research project contributes to the gathering of knowledge and discussions regarding the impact of ethnic concentration on socio- cultural integration. Socio-cultural integration refers to the issue of the extent to which minorities form part of the host society, or the extent to which they in fact differ from it. In other words, it is about how the minorities are socially and culturally divided from the indigenous population.

Description

This study limits itself to a number of aspects related to socio-cultural integration. It looks at the daily contacts that minorities have with the indigenous population and vice-versa: to what extent does the indigenous population have dealings with immigrants? A second element of socio-cultural integration is the command and use of the Dutch language, including the language achievements of primary school children. Finally, the perceptions of the indigenous population and immigrants are of major importance. How do they perceive each other and what do they think about the existence of minorities in general?
How do immigrants perceive the social climate as it affects minorities?

Conclusions

Turkish people most often focus upon their own ethnic group. This applies to a slightly lesser extent for Moroccans. Surinamese, Antilleans, people from the former Yugoslavia, Iranians and the majority of the groups of refugees focus strongly on contact with the indigenous population.
The social divide that has been detected can not only be ascribed to the strength of the focus on the immigrants' own ethnic group, but also to the low level of contact the indigenous population has with immigrants.
When more than half the inhabitants are non-Western immigrants, contact between the indigenous population and immigrants generally tends to decline.
The concentrations of minorities in certain districts hinder the contact between the indigenous population and immigrants. These contacts are needed to enable immigrants to learn the Dutch language quickly and properly.
School achievements by children at so-called black schools are lower than those at mixed or white schools.
A larger social divide between population groups is coupled with a low mutual respect and mutual negative stereotyping.
A rapid inflow of immigrants into a district results in negative perceptions by both the indigenous population and immigrants.
A good education is important to migrants to ensure them of a good socio-economic position and to promote their socio-cultural integration.

Contact info

Social and Cultural Planning Office
Phone: +31 70 3407000
info@scp.nl

Publication date

24/06/2005

Researcher

M. Gijsberts and J. Dagevos

Article info
ISBN: 9037702252

Links

Social and Cultural Planning Office

Out of each other's way. The influence of ethnic concentration on integration and perception (PDF, Dutch, 716KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation