Research Information System
2018 Midterm Conference Of Esa Research Network 15: The Challenge Of A Global Sociological Imagination, Helsinki, Finland, 19 - 20 April 2018, pp.24-25, (Summary Text)
The pre-migratory background, timing and rhythm of the flow, and mechanisms of migration strongly affect arrivals’ adaptation to new social environment. Social skills acquired during primary socialisation process can become non-functional after immigration. Consequently, migration process stimulates associational activity in different forms such as religious, hometown, and mutual aid associations. The first-generation Turkish migrants were categorised as guest workers for their early years in Germany and this temporary status created a vague social situation. For adapting to the new social structure, they built their own immigrant associations. This presentation claim that the immigrant associations function as a mediation mechanism between state, host society and migrant groups and protect individuals from anonymity of urban life and alienation caused by migration. The study aims to analyse the role of the immigrant associations as (1) social network, (2) social participation and (3) social support resources. In April 2016, a qualitative research was conducted in Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin. There were 18 healthy, first generation migrant in the study group. Interviews were made at immigrant associations, community centres, coffeehouses, mosque lounges and, participants’ houses. Semi-structured questionnaire form was used. All interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. The average age is 74,5 and interview duration is 39 minutes. According to findings, immigrant associations remain important as a part of social capital in the ageing process and have a key role as providing a place to socialise and to experience social embeddedness outside of family. When it comes to social support, family is the main resource.