Immigrant Integration in Germany : Language Skills, Physical Appearance, and the Role of the Host Society

Anne-Katrin Wickboldt

ISBN 10: 3639113020 / ISBN 13: 9783639113020

Published by VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2008

About this Item

nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - How to achieve favorable integration outcomes hasbecome a pressing and contentious issue in Germany.Some see cultural distance as the main impediment tointegration. The more immigrants culture and valuesystems differ from those of the host society, theycontend, the more immigrants stay in their owncommunities and opt to forego host societyinteraction crucial for integration success.Acquiring the language and cultural skills to engagein such interaction is thus seen as a critical firststep to facilitate integration. This book challengesthis view. Drawing on conceptual frameworks ofseminal theoretical literature in the United Statesand Germany, the author uses quantitative andqualitative research methods to show that themajority of second generation immigrants in Germanyalready speak the language well, and are highlyintegrated. To gauge the role of the host society inthe process, the author also tests immigrants physical appearance as a predictor of economicintegration, in which immigrants still lag behind.The book will be of interest to scholars and policymakers in the field, as well as the educated generalreader interested in the subject matter.

Seller Inventory # 9783639113020

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Immigrant Integration in Germany : Language Skills, Physical Appearance, and the Role of the Host Society
• Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3639113020
• ISBN 13: 9783639113020
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 220W x 150H x 14D millimeters 220 millimeters width by 150 millimeters height by 14 millimeters depth
• Weight: 331 grams

About this title

Synopsis

How to achieve favorable integration outcomes has become a pressing and contentious issue in Germany. Some see cultural distance as the main impediment to integration. The more immigrants¿ culture and value systems differ from those of the host society, they contend, the more immigrants stay in their own communities and opt to forego host society interaction crucial for integration success. Acquiring the language and cultural skills to engage in such interaction is thus seen as a critical first step to facilitate integration. This book challenges this view. Drawing on conceptual frameworks of seminal theoretical literature in the United States and Germany, the author uses quantitative and qualitative research methods to show that the majority of second generation immigrants in Germany already speak the language well, and are highly integrated. To gauge the role of the host society in the process, the author also tests immigrants¿ physical appearance as a predictor of economic integration, in which immigrants still lag behind. The book will be of interest to scholars and policy makers in the field, as well as the educated general reader interested in the subject matter.

About the Author

Anne-Katrin Wickboldt received her Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her research interests include international conflict resolution, environmental politics, and migration.