Content
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………….….….. 3
1. Germany and its Turkish Migrants ..................................................................................4
2. Meaning of Collective Identity.............................................................................................7
3. Features of Collective Identity of Turkish Migrants .....................................................10
Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................13
Bibliography …………………………………………………………………………..…….15
Introduction
Over 50 years ago, the first so-called 'guest-workers' from Turkey arrived in Germany. Back then, it was neither expected that so many of them would stay and bring their families with them, nor what consequences the unprecedented influx of Turkish migrants would have. Meanwhile, Germany emerged from a guest-worker country in the 60s via a reluctant country of immigration in the 80s and 90s through to a country officially dedicated to immigration in the last decade. It was not until 2004, that Germany acknowledged its de-facto status as country of immigration and that political engagement to integrate migrants was emphasized. The importance of successful integration becomes self-evident when regarding the failures in the past, as highly considered former chancellor Helmut Schmidt criticized: "For a long time, Germans have not grasped the problem of integration. [...]. We haven't done a good job."
Integration is on daily debate now. Fierce violence at the Rütli School in Berlin-Neukölln, which marks the biggest Turkish district outside Turkey, discrimination and disadvantages in daily life testify the huge gap between requests towards immigrants to integrate and at the same time the conditions for them to do so. It further shows that the children of former guest-workers, their children's children have long become a part of our society and must be regarded as such. However, they still feel alien in their own country, it might not be as a foreigners but as strangers. These problems of identity count in particular for Turkish migrants in Germany or people with Turkish migratory background.
With almost 3 million people in 2011 , they form the biggest migrant group in Germany and are supposed to show the most obvious differences in contrast to a German 'Leitkultur'...
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Germany and its Turkish Migrants
2. Meaning of Collective Identity
3. Features of Collective Identity of Turkish Migrants
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the evolution of the collective identity of Turkish migrants in Germany, moving beyond simplistic ethnic categorizations to explore how their identity is shaped by social conditions, integration experiences, and internal reflections. The work aims to understand the transition from the "guest-worker" phase to a permanent societal presence and how this affects the construction of personal and group narratives.
- The historical development of Turkish migration to Germany across three phases.
- Theoretical conceptualizations of collective identity and its relation to individual experience.
- Empirical findings on how Turkish migrants construct and negotiate their identity in Germany.
- The impact of institutional recognition, power dynamics, and social exclusion on identity formation.
- The shift in identity patterns between the first and second generation of migrants.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Features of Collective Identity of Turkish Migrants
The following findings refer to a research study within a project on Collective Identity, Assimilation and Integration, conducted by Rosemarie Sackmann, scholar at the Institute for Intercultural and International Studies/ University of Bremen. In this context, 100 Turkish Migrants of first and second generation were interviewed on questions dealing with their collective identity and current situation in Germany.
As basic assumption, it should be mentioned, that the social background, way of living and thinking as well as moral values naturally vary among the migrants, so that we mustn't take a consistent 'Turkish' identity as starting point, because a concept of the Turkish identity does and cannot not exist. However, Sackmann highlights certain common characteristics regarding the sample's statements:
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the historical context of Turkish guest-workers in Germany and introduces the problem of identity integration in a society that long denied its status as an immigrant country.
1. Germany and its Turkish Migrants: Outlines the three phases of Turkish migration to Germany and discusses the political and social challenges regarding the integration of the largest migrant group.
2. Meaning of Collective Identity: Explores the theoretical framework of collective identity, emphasizing that it is a dynamic symbolic representation rather than a fixed attribute of a group.
3. Features of Collective Identity of Turkish Migrants: Presents empirical findings from a research study highlighting how Turkish migrants define their identity, their connection to Germany and Turkey, and the transformation between generations.
Conclusion: Summarizes that collective identity among Turkish migrants is a dynamic process and argues for an understanding of the individual as a social actor capable of constructing identity beyond static, ethnic boundaries.
Keywords
Collective Identity, Turkish Migrants, Germany, Migration History, Integration, Social Construction, First and Second Generation, Recognition, Multiculturalism, Cultural Boundaries, Diaspora, Social Actor, Ethnic Identity, Identity Transformation, Transnationalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the collective identity of Turkish migrants in Germany, analyzing how their identity is constructed and influenced by their historical experiences and current social situation.
What are the core thematic fields covered?
The central themes include the history of German migration policy, the theoretical definition of collective identity, and the practical findings regarding the self-perception of Turkish migrants in Germany.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to illustrate that collective identity is not solely based on origin or religion, but is significantly influenced by the actual social and political circumstances faced by the migrant group.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The work employs a literature-based analysis of migration policies and incorporates findings from qualitative research studies, specifically citing the work of scholar Rosemarie Sackmann.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the three phases of German migration, the social and theoretical aspects of collective identity, and specific features of identity construction among first and second-generation Turkish migrants.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Collective Identity, Turkish Migrants, Integration, Social Construction, Migration History, and Diaspora.
How does the first generation's identity differ from the second generation's?
The study notes that while the first generation relies more on direct group relationships, the second generation constructs identity more reflectively, choosing and examining their customs based on their life in Germany.
Why is the concept of a "uniform" Turkish identity rejected?
The author argues that a consistent "Turkish" identity cannot exist because social backgrounds, values, and experiences vary greatly among individuals within the migrant group.
What role does the concept of "the other" play in identity construction?
The text explains that collective identity is perceived in correlation with how a minority group defines itself versus how it is defined by the majority, which reinforces the importance of cultural boundaries.
- Quote paper
- B.A. European Studies Franziska Caesar (Author), 2013, Collective Identity of Turkish Migrants in Germany, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/212328
