Some issue could be taken with the word ‘integration’ in itself which intimates that different cultures may want to adopt or conform to the norms of others. Acceptance is probably a word which is more palatable to many parties because it indicates that we are willing to accommodate incomers and that incomers are willing to accept the societal norms of others.
Often migrants will lean toward their own small communities of fellow countrymen within their adopted country. Which is a perfectly normal and acceptable way to behave. It does not mean that they are rejecting the natives of their adopted nation, but simply means they are more comfortable on many levels with what is familiar to them. Situations such as this are probably best exemplified when we look at nations we are more familiar with. For example, UK citizens will often form social groups and live in confined regions when they move to Europe. Americans will often do the same when they move to countries such as Ireland. In Portugal many Dutch migrants tend to mix with their fellow countrymen. This does not though mean that either the natives of their adopted nation are rejecting the migrants, nor does it mean that the migrants are avoiding integration. It simply means that, where possible, many people will stay among those that they find familiar even when they have jobs among native inhabitants and have learned the language to competent standards.
KThompson
Comments: 0