Chapter 2. Ethnic German and Jewish immigrants from post-Soviet countries in Germany
-
Barbara Dietz
Abstract
Since the early fifties of the last century Germany admitted ethnic Germans (Aussiedler) and at a later point in time Jewish refugees (jüdische Kontingentflüchtlinge) from the Soviet Union and its successor states. While identity formation of ethnic German and Jewish immigrants is based on shared history and cultural characteristics, education and social experiences in post-Soviet states are of high relevance as well. Furthermore, legal and administrative classifications in Germany define the boundaries of belonging to these immigrant groups. Although ethnic Germans and Jewish immigrants differ significantly with respect to their social background and education, both groups experience obstacles concerning their economic and social integration in Germany. However, a considerable part of second generation ethnic German and Jewish immigrants seem to cope quite well with the German educational system and increasingly take advantage of career opportunities.
Abstract
Since the early fifties of the last century Germany admitted ethnic Germans (Aussiedler) and at a later point in time Jewish refugees (jüdische Kontingentflüchtlinge) from the Soviet Union and its successor states. While identity formation of ethnic German and Jewish immigrants is based on shared history and cultural characteristics, education and social experiences in post-Soviet states are of high relevance as well. Furthermore, legal and administrative classifications in Germany define the boundaries of belonging to these immigrant groups. Although ethnic Germans and Jewish immigrants differ significantly with respect to their social background and education, both groups experience obstacles concerning their economic and social integration in Germany. However, a considerable part of second generation ethnic German and Jewish immigrants seem to cope quite well with the German educational system and increasingly take advantage of career opportunities.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Russian-Germans 11
- Chapter 2. Ethnic German and Jewish immigrants from post-Soviet countries in Germany 41
- Chapter 3. Generation 1.5 of Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel and in Germany 69
- Chapter 4. When networks tell just half the story 99
- Chapter 5. From Russian motherland to German fatherland 135
- Chapter 6. Young Russian-German adults 20 years after their repatriation to Germany 159
- Chapter 7. Language attitudes and linguistic skills in young heritage speakers of Russian in Germany 197
- Chapter 8. Lost in transmission? 225
- Conclusion. Integration, identity, and language maintenance in young immigrants 269
- Index 281
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Russian-Germans 11
- Chapter 2. Ethnic German and Jewish immigrants from post-Soviet countries in Germany 41
- Chapter 3. Generation 1.5 of Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel and in Germany 69
- Chapter 4. When networks tell just half the story 99
- Chapter 5. From Russian motherland to German fatherland 135
- Chapter 6. Young Russian-German adults 20 years after their repatriation to Germany 159
- Chapter 7. Language attitudes and linguistic skills in young heritage speakers of Russian in Germany 197
- Chapter 8. Lost in transmission? 225
- Conclusion. Integration, identity, and language maintenance in young immigrants 269
- Index 281
