The concept of immigrant's integration - a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract

The integration of immigrants is an increasingly complex problem. It is also increasingly delicate within the context of an enhanced migration within the current European space, which is why it is necessary to identify a valid explanative model. The understanding of the term of immigrant integration presumes understanding several closely interdependent concepts such as those of society, culture, social structure, immigrant, refugee, identity, as well as the relations between them. On the one hand, integration can be seen as ability and responsibility of the society, of the group or of the community to receive new members, while facilitating their adaptation to the new life style, while respecting their own life style. On the other hand, the integration can also be described as ability, individual this time, of the newcomers to adapt to the requirements imposed by the economic, social and cultural context of the host-society, while not being forced to give up their own life style. Thus, two approaches of the concept of integration are required, one sociologic and the other psychological. These two approaches are in a close interdependence, yet they are separate methodologically. Furthermore, adding to these approaches is the juridical perspective on the integration of immigrants, perspective which aims the policy on immigration and integration, which may have a major influence on the individual and group processes within the society.