Finding friends after resettlement

Finding friends after resettlement attempts to
see beyond the debate that divides immigrant social
trajectories into simple processes of gradual
segregation and integration. The author maintains
that this dichotomy hides a wide latitude of social
trajectories and identity negotiations. Patterns of
social integration can be traced in the intersection
between face-to-face interactions that immigrants
have with others, features of their personal
network, and immigrant attempts to deal with these
dimensions. It is argued in this book that the most
realistic adaptation line for first generation non-
western immigrants in Norway would appear to be
different kinds of selective bridging to the
mainstream, based on weak ties with indigenous
locals. Nevertheless, this kind of bridging to the
mainstream should not be neglected and
underestimated. These friends and acquaintances
become symbols of acceptance that help newcomers
construct identities of themselves as people who are
included and respected in their new social
environment.

Autorentext

Marko VALENTA graduated from the University of Trondheim (NTNU)where he also took PhD in Sociology. Valenta currently works as senior researcher at NTNUs Centre for migration and refugee studies. His research/work interests are social integration of immigrants and refugees, ethnic relations and migration.

Klappentext

"Finding friends after resettlement" attempts to see beyond the debate that divides immigrant social trajectories into simple processes of gradual segregation and integration. The author maintains that this dichotomy hides a wide latitude of social trajectories and identity negotiations. Patterns of social integration can be traced in the intersection between face-to-face interactions that immigrants have with others, features of their personal network, and immigrant attempts to deal with these dimensions. It is argued in this book that the most realistic adaptation line for first generation non-western immigrants in Norway would appear to be different kinds of selective bridging to the mainstream, based on weak ties with indigenous locals. Nevertheless, this kind of bridging to the mainstream should not be neglected and underestimated. These friends and acquaintances become symbols of acceptance that help newcomers construct identities of themselves as people who are included and respected in their new social environment.