The intermediate generation: integration of young Nepalese immigrants in Portugal

Abstract

This research examined the integration process of young Nepalese immigrants, who arrived through family reunification, in Lisbon, Portugal. The study pertained to three central objectives; i) to determine the integration process of these young Nepalese immigrants ii) to understand the perspective of the young immigrants’ parents and iii) to identify positive and negative aspects surrounding these young immigrants’ integration in Portugal. The research used a mixed-method approach; including in-depth interviews, focus-group discussion and field observation for qualitative data, and secondary data analysis for quantitative data. 17 participants, consisting of fathers, mothers and young people belonging to six Nepalese families, were engaged in semistructured interviews. This was complemented with a focus group discussion among 7 young Nepalese immigrants, and a consistent field work midst the Nepalese circle. The study also analyzed relevant secondary data related to Nepalese families and young immigrants in Portugal. The dissertation summarized the context of young Nepalese immigrants’ integration in Portugal through the lens of citizenship, labour market integration, school integration, housing conditions, language acquisition, culture, gender perspectives, leisure and interests, belongingness to the country and future ambitions. The study defined that the time spent in the receiving country and the age of the young immigrants at arrival play a vital role in determining how well the young immigrants integrate into these various dimensions, or vice versa. It also found that majority of Nepalese young immigrants faced challenges for language fluency, school integration and sociability with Portuguese counterparts, with some facing issues of bullying as well. The study also ascertained that there was emergent problem in Nepalese youth in Lisbon such as drug and substance abuse which can be an indicator of a negative outcome of integration. It additionally distinguished the parents’ outlook on integration process of their children which underlined pervasiveness of parental longings regarding the young immigrants’ integration into the labour market, but not preferring them to integrate into the youth culture and lifestyle of Portugal.