Social network evolution during long-term migration: a comparison of three case studies in the South Wales region

Social network evolution during long-term migration: a comparison of three case studies in the South Wales region

Ten years after Poland joined the European Union (EU), a sizable number of the once considered short-term migrants that entered the United Kingdom (UK) post-2004 have remained. From the literature, it is known that, when initially migrating, social networks composed of family and friends are used to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social identities 2017-01, Vol.23 (1), p.56-70
Main Authors: Knight, Julie, Thompson, Andrew, Lever, John
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Case studies
Comparative analysis
Cultural change
Cultural integration
Ethnicity
EU migration
Friendship
Kinship networks
Labor market
Labor migration
Language acquisition
Language usage
Local economy
Migrants
Migration
Mobility
Newcomers
Social integration
Social networks
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Summary:Ten years after Poland joined the European Union (EU), a sizable number of the once considered short-term migrants that entered the United Kingdom (UK) post-2004 have remained. From the literature, it is known that, when initially migrating, social networks composed of family and friends are used to facilitate migration. Later, migrants' social networks may evolve to include local, non-ethnic members of the community. Through these networks, migrants may access new opportunities within the local economy. They also serve to socialise newcomers in the cultural modalities of life in the destination country. However, what if migrants' social networks do not evolve or evolve in a limited manner? Is cultural integration still possible under these conditions? Using data collected from three case studies in the South Wales region - Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Llanelli - from 2008-2012, the aim of this article is to compare Polish migrants' social network usage, or lack thereof, over time. This comparison will be used to understand how these social networks can be catalysts and barriers for cultural integration. The findings point to the migrants' varied use of their local social networks, which is dependent upon their language skill acquisition and their labour market mobility in the destination country.
ISSN:1350-4630
1363-0296