Don’t let your background fade away…: A qualitative research into second generation Turkish women and transnationalism
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2012-07
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en
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Abstract
Migration is not only a phenomenon seen in the 20th century since people have been migrating
worldwide for ages looking for a different life. Yet the shape and tendencies of migration have
changed compared to earlier centuries (Castles & Miller, 2009). In postwar period flows of labor
migrants from southern Europe, Morocco and Turkey came to the Netherlands. Nowadays, the
number of Turks living abroad is estimated to be around 7% of the total Turkish population
since labor migration lead to family reunification and families got settled (Turkish Ministry of
foreign affairs, 2009). The Turks abroad always stayed in touch with their families who were left
behind (Içduygu 2005). Yet the outcomes in the process of globalization resulted in progressed
technologies for communication and transport, which made it easier for to stay in touch with
their family and friends left behind (Vertovec 1999). Some scientists question to what extend
transnationalism passes on from the first to the second generation migrants. Rumbaut and
Portes (2005) argue that transnational activities are more common for the first than the second
generation, while others argue that although transnationalism does not play a role in their life,
it is actually present in their lives (Levitt 2006, Smith 2002, Fouron & Glick-Schiller 2002).
Whether or to what extent transnationalism is present in the lives of second and third
generation migrants is subject to discussion. Besides, most research into this subject mostly
has been dedicated to the second generation migrants in the United States. In the Netherlands,
in-depth research into this subject is limited, for that reason this research is dedicated to the
second generation Turkish migrants in the Netherlands. Research results could be used to
implement migration policies and for the development or maintenance of transnational
activities. Moreover, the Netherlands, a country with a general feminist culture, might
(positively) influence women’s positions, even for women with a cultural background which
is more masculine focused (Hofstede, 1998). The emphasis of scientific research is often put on
human agency and these are not limited to economic enterprises, but include political, cultural
and religious initiatives as well (Portes, 2009). This research is therefore an in-debt
investigation to conduct more than just generalized assumptions.
Therefore the central question is as follows:
How does the multicultural identity of second generation Turkish female
migrants influence their relationship with Turkey, their transnational
activities and assimilation in the Netherlands?
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen