Building a Dual Identity as an Immigrant in the UK: Eritreans’ Search for Freedom and a Sense of Balance

Ali, Safa, Ogden, Jane and Birtel, Michèle D. (2017) Building a Dual Identity as an Immigrant in the UK: Eritreans’ Search for Freedom and a Sense of Balance Ethnic and Racial Studies, 41 (14). pp. 2504-2521.

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Abstract

This study explored the experiences of newly arrived and settled Eritrean immigrants currently in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 10 newly arrived (< 1 year) and 10 settled (> 7 years) participants, recruited through an Eritrean café and using snowball sampling. Thematic analysis identified three themes: 1) Wanting freedom, expectations of the UK and the desire for safety, 2) Integration and becoming part of the British community, 3) Personal development, which involved growth and aspirations. Transcending these themes was the notion of balance, and the co-existence of past and present. It is argued that Eritreans in the UK wish to become part of British community whilst at the same time remembering and celebrating their Eritrean culture. This is explained within the context of a dual identity and it is argued that rather than being a hindrance, a dual rather than single identity facilitates the process of integration.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions :	Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences > School of Psychology
Authors :	Name Email ORCID Ali, Safa Ogden, Jane J.Ogden@surrey.ac.uk Birtel, Michèle D.
Date :	11 October 2017
DOI :	10.1080/01419870.2017.1384555
Copyright Disclaimer :	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ethnic and Racial Studies on 11 October 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2017.1384555
Uncontrolled Keywords :	Identity; Eritrean; Culture; Immigrants; Qualitative; Integration
Depositing User :	Clive Harris
Date Deposited :	13 Sep 2017 09:58
Last Modified :	12 Mar 2019 02:08
URI:	http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/id/eprint/842260

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