Author
Rottmann, Susan Beth, Kaya, A.
Publication Date
2021-03
Publication Place
-
Oxford University Press
Subject
Cultural intimacy, Europe, Gender, Syrians, Temporality
Type
Periodical
Language
English
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Özyeğin University
Library Asset ID
0951-6328
Record ID
80c24a63-b587-4d31-bf54-50af9b0b1c3e
Library Location
Humanities and Social Sciences
Date
2021-03
Sample Text
In popular media, it is often assumed that Syrian refugees wish to reach Europe by any means necessary but, during field research in 2018, we found that many Syrians hoped to remain in Istanbul, despite their tenuous legal and social situation. The article examines how migrants established cultural intimacy and strong community social networks over time, and became increasingly sceptical about the life they imagined they would have in Europe. Addressing research on migration aspirations, we show that migration decisions are strongly affected by experiences in a transit country. Most research on aspirations stresses economic drivers and rational choices, but here we highlight the importance of emotions, the qualitative feeling of acceptance and safety, temporal effects and the growing feeling of being home over time. Prior research with Turkey's Syrians has pointed to the significance of culture and social networks for creating a sense of being at home. This research explores these issues in more detail to show how culture, religion and gender are interlinked in migrant imaginings, how social networks evolve and how Europe is imagined.
DOI
10.1093/jrs/feaa018
Cilt
34
