Immigrants’ activism in associations has been identified as a stepping stone for their integration within a new society (Handy and Greenspan, Nonprofit Volunt Sect Q 38:956-982, 2009). Within a liberation psychology perspective (LP) (García-Ramírez et al., Am J Community Psychol 47:86-97, 2011), the present study explores how being active in a national association (NA) or ethnic association (EA) can promote the integration of immigrants in social service associations. Sixteen interviews were conducted with young immigrants of African origin to investigate their motivations for activism, their perception of the Italian context, and the changes their activism promotes on the personal and community level. Thematic analysis suggests that young immigrants choose to become active in national and ethnic associations for the same reasons and are mainly driven by cultural motivation. The results also show that, on the individual level, (a) activism practiced in national associations tends to expand social networks with natives and develop a sense of agency, bicultural competency, and a positive social identity; (b) activism practiced in ethnic associations promotes the formation of political thinking and intercultural competence.

Marzana, D., Martinez Damia, S. M., Alfieri, S., Marta, E., Youth and Their Challenge to Promote a Fairer Multicultural Society: a Qualitative Study of African Immigrant Activists, <<JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION>>, 2018; 20 (2): 557-576. [doi:10.1007/s12134-018-0615-8] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/132203]

Youth and Their Challenge to Promote a Fairer Multicultural Society: a Qualitative Study of African Immigrant Activists

Marzana, Daniela
Primo
;
Martinez Damia, Sara Maria
Secondo
;
Alfieri, Sara
Penultimo
;
Marta, Elena
Ultimo
2019

Abstract

Immigrants’ activism in associations has been identified as a stepping stone for their integration within a new society (Handy and Greenspan, Nonprofit Volunt Sect Q 38:956-982, 2009). Within a liberation psychology perspective (LP) (García-Ramírez et al., Am J Community Psychol 47:86-97, 2011), the present study explores how being active in a national association (NA) or ethnic association (EA) can promote the integration of immigrants in social service associations. Sixteen interviews were conducted with young immigrants of African origin to investigate their motivations for activism, their perception of the Italian context, and the changes their activism promotes on the personal and community level. Thematic analysis suggests that young immigrants choose to become active in national and ethnic associations for the same reasons and are mainly driven by cultural motivation. The results also show that, on the individual level, (a) activism practiced in national associations tends to expand social networks with natives and develop a sense of agency, bicultural competency, and a positive social identity; (b) activism practiced in ethnic associations promotes the formation of political thinking and intercultural competence.
2019
Inglese
Marzana, D., Martinez Damia, S. M., Alfieri, S., Marta, E., Youth and Their Challenge to Promote a Fairer Multicultural Society: a Qualitative Study of African Immigrant Activists, <<JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION>>, 2018; 20 (2): 557-576. [doi:10.1007/s12134-018-0615-8] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/132203]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Marzana, Martinez, Alfieri & Marta, 2018_Journal of international migration and integration.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia file ?: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Non specificato
Dimensione 688.12 kB
Formato Unknown
688.12 kB Unknown   Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/132203
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 13
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 13
social impact