SVENSKT MEDBORGARSKAP OCH INTEGRATION - En kvalitativ intervjuundersökning om medborgarskapets påverkan på invandrares integration i Sverige

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore how the swedish citizenship affects immigrants’ integration and feeling of belonging to Sweden and therefore contribute with new knowledge about this subject. This bachelor thesis is based on the acculturation theory of L. Sam David and Berry John. The acculturation theory says that there are four acculturation strategies: integration, separation, assimilation and marginalization. In this study the focus is on integration but all four strategies will be presented in the theory chapter. The method used in this thesis is qualitative interviews with six first generation immigrants from Syria that have acquired swedish citizenship. The results of this study shows that citizenship helps the individuals to travel, it gives them better work opportunities and makes them feel safe against deportation. When it comes to the feeling of belonging, most interviewees feel that they belong to Sweden, but not to the swedish culture. The findings of this study is that citizenship does have an impact on an institutional level, but when it comes down to a more personal level, there are other factors that affect the individuals’ integration.