'I don't even know if I have a culture' - Experiences of acculturation and sense of belonging among migrant children in South Africa

Migrant children are an unexamined subject, even though they experience several interesting processes in adapting to a new society. Migrant children who are residing in Rosettenville have integrated well into the South African society and enjoy living in South Africa. The research showed a pattern among the migrant children which is connected with the relationship the children have with their country of origin. The children either choose to keep a connection with their home country or not to maintain a bond with their home country, which determines the way children acculturate in the society and develop a sense of belonging. Coherent to this is the division between home and school, whereby some children who value their home situation more, compared with children who are more interested in everything outside their home situation, including school, friends and the South African society. This again is related to the relationship the children have with their country or origin, whether...Show moreMigrant children are an unexamined subject, even though they experience several interesting processes in adapting to a new society. Migrant children who are residing in Rosettenville have integrated well into the South African society and enjoy living in South Africa. The research showed a pattern among the migrant children which is connected with the relationship the children have with their country of origin. The children either choose to keep a connection with their home country or not to maintain a bond with their home country, which determines the way children acculturate in the society and develop a sense of belonging. Coherent to this is the division between home and school, whereby some children who value their home situation more, compared with children who are more interested in everything outside their home situation, including school, friends and the South African society. This again is related to the relationship the children have with their country or origin, whether they choose to value home or school. Even though they have migrated to a new country, the country of origin will always play a role in the lives of migrant children.Show less

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'I don't even know if I have a culture' - Experiences of acculturation and sense of belonging among migrant children in South Africa