6 Towards a general model of migrants’ anchoring
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Aleksandra Grzymala-Kazlowska
Abstract
Chapter 6 aims to synthesise crucial points about anchoring which emerge from the SAST research with Ukrainian migrants in Poland and Polish migrants in the UK, to develop a framework allowing a better understanding of the processes of adaptation and settling. In order to outline key elements useful for building a general model of migrants’ anchoring, it concentrates on commonalities observed across both groups, in contrast to the previous chapters focusing on Polish migrants in the UK and Ukrainian migrants in Poland as separate case studies to highlight their specifics and contextual insights. This chapter showed the centrality of the need for security and stability. The proposed model of anchoring outlines layers of anchoring, from external footholds related to the legal and institutional frameworks and work opportunities, through more complex anchors embedded in social relations, to deeper internal anchors, such as constructed familiarity and closeness. Chapter 6 highlights the significance of practices and spaces for anchoring as well as the importance of cognitive, emotional and spiritual anchoring. This part of the monograph shows the dynamics of anchoring and the uneven and relational character of settling. It sheds light on the flexibility and reversibility of anchoring, including the processes of re-anchoring or un-anchoring (e.g. through selling houses in the country of origin, relocating loved ones, changing names). It argues that although the migrants were active agents endeavouring to establish themselves and reach a relative state of safety and stability, they were also constrained by their existing anchors, their limited resources and societal structures.q
Abstract
Chapter 6 aims to synthesise crucial points about anchoring which emerge from the SAST research with Ukrainian migrants in Poland and Polish migrants in the UK, to develop a framework allowing a better understanding of the processes of adaptation and settling. In order to outline key elements useful for building a general model of migrants’ anchoring, it concentrates on commonalities observed across both groups, in contrast to the previous chapters focusing on Polish migrants in the UK and Ukrainian migrants in Poland as separate case studies to highlight their specifics and contextual insights. This chapter showed the centrality of the need for security and stability. The proposed model of anchoring outlines layers of anchoring, from external footholds related to the legal and institutional frameworks and work opportunities, through more complex anchors embedded in social relations, to deeper internal anchors, such as constructed familiarity and closeness. Chapter 6 highlights the significance of practices and spaces for anchoring as well as the importance of cognitive, emotional and spiritual anchoring. This part of the monograph shows the dynamics of anchoring and the uneven and relational character of settling. It sheds light on the flexibility and reversibility of anchoring, including the processes of re-anchoring or un-anchoring (e.g. through selling houses in the country of origin, relocating loved ones, changing names). It argues that although the migrants were active agents endeavouring to establish themselves and reach a relative state of safety and stability, they were also constrained by their existing anchors, their limited resources and societal structures.q
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Figures viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Rethinking settlement and integration 10
- 2 Developing the concept of anchoring 24
- 3 Researching migrants’ anchoring 34
- 4 From mobility to anchoring 44
- 5 Anchored not rooted 73
- 6 Towards a general model of migrants’ anchoring 101
- 7 Insecurities, constraints and inequalities in anchoring 134
- Conclusions 149
- Appendix 153
- References 163
- Index 185
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Figures viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Rethinking settlement and integration 10
- 2 Developing the concept of anchoring 24
- 3 Researching migrants’ anchoring 34
- 4 From mobility to anchoring 44
- 5 Anchored not rooted 73
- 6 Towards a general model of migrants’ anchoring 101
- 7 Insecurities, constraints and inequalities in anchoring 134
- Conclusions 149
- Appendix 153
- References 163
- Index 185
