Hermans, Lotte
(2018)
Do ‘‘opposites’’ attract?
Master thesis, Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation.
Abstract
Interethnic contact is considered to be pivotal for the integration of migrants as it can help them learn both the language and the norms and values of their host society (Martinovic, 2011). Therefore, it is important to examine what factors contribute to or hinder interethnic contact. Previous research has predominantly focused on the role of migrants in interethnic contact. However, as interethnic contact requires the cooperation of migrants and natives, this research focused more on the role of natives in interethnic contact. By examining the preferences and opportunities for contact of natives and first- and second-generation Turkish and Moroccan migrants, this research aimed to identify potential differences between these ethnic groups in the amount of interethnic contact they engage in. In addition, this study examined whether religiosity played a role in the amount of interethnic contact natives and migrants engaged in. Studying religiosity in relation to interethnic contact is especially important, as religion has been ‘identified’ as a crucial cause of the lack of integration of migrants by Dutch politicians (Mepschen, 2016). This study made use of a mixed methods approach in order to present a comprehensive understanding of the influencers of interethnic contact for both natives and migrants. For the quantitative analyses, data stemming from the NeLLS dataset (N=5312) was used. This study proved that natives and first- and second-generation Turkish and Moroccan migrants differ significantly from each other: natives engage in far less interethnic contact than migrants. Furthermore, whereas the amount of interethnic contact migrants engaged in seemed to be dependent on certain opportunities or contextual factors, this was less the case for natives. This raised the question whether there were other factors, which were not included in the quantitative analyses, that could explain their low amount of interethnic contact. In order to examine the reasoning behind the choices individuals made regarding interethnic contact, five semi-structured interviews were held. This study suggests that while migrants focus more on accepting differences, natives focus more on pointing out differences. Furthermore, this study challenges Allport’s contact theory (1954) that interethnic contact reduces prejudice towards the entire out-group as evidence was found that natives rather regard the ‘good’ migrants they know as the exception rather than the rule. In addition, this research highlights the privileged position natives have in the Dutch society. It appears that natives have the power to decide whether, and on what terms, they engage in interethnic contact. More research on this topic is required in order to disclose whether low amounts of interethnic contact are indeed, partially, due to a lack of willingness of natives.
Keywords: Interethnic contact; mixed methods approach; Turkish and Moroccan migrants; natives; the Netherlands
| Type: |
Thesis
(Master)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
| Supervisor | E-mail | Tutor organization | Tutor email |
|---|
| Martinez - Arino, J. | J.Martinez.Arino@rug.nl | | | | Knibbe, K.E. | K.E.Knibbe@rug.nl | | |
|
| Degree programme: |
Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation |
| Academic year: |
2017- 2018 |
| Date of delivery: |
31 Aug 2018 |
| Last modified: |
31 Aug 2018 13:21 |
| URI: |
https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/403 |
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