What's Your Take on Integration? Insights From a Qualitative Study on Youth With Migratory Backgrounds in Italy

Abstract

Socio-demographic changes in Europe have heightened interest in the topic of integration. However, a clear definition of the construct remains elusive, particularly in relation to the second generation and “long-established” young people of foreign origin. On the one hand, “integration” takes on different meanings depending on the researcher's approach; on the other, few studies directly address the views of young people with a migrant background. Using a qualitative approach, the study analyses the subjective meaning and connotations attributed to the term “integration,” as well as the personal perception of integration into Italian society among 26 young people of different ethnic origins living in Italy (mean age = 24.5 years, SD 4.1; F = 14). All participants belonged to the second generation or had immigrated to Italy before the age of 12. They answered a semi-structured interview on cultural identity, characteristics of social networks, feelings of integration and experiences of personal and group discrimination. The results showed that the participants closely associated integration with the issues of respect, acceptance and lack of discrimination, but also with the subjective feeling of being part of society and belonging to it. The limitations and practical implications of the study were discussed.