Asylum‐seekers and refugees: a structuration theory analysis of their experiences in the UK

Abstract

Asylum seekers and refugees: a structuration theory analysis of their experiences in the UK AbstractMuch of the literature on asylum seekers and refugees tends to be atheoretical. This article uses ideas from Giddens' structuration theory as a conceptual framework to analyse the voices of a group of asylum seekers and refugees. The empirical database consists of semistructured interviews with 18 asylum seekers and refugees living in the UK from a wide range of countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Poland, Somalia, and the Yemen. The study shows that the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees are impacted by both structural and individual agency factors. The former, it is argued, consist of public and political reaction towards the increase in the number of asylum applications, while the latter include asylum seeker and refugee experiences of specific places and people which can create social networks. Structural factors had the greatest impact upon the integration of the participants into the host society. The nature of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees can influence the way they feel about their position in the host society. For example, negative experiences of the UK can reduce their sense of security in the society whereas positive experiences can increase their feelings of comfort. Structuration theory conceptualises how asylum seekers and refugees utilise coping strategies to raise their comfort level in the host country.

‘We make them feel special’: The experiences of voluntary sector workers supporting asylum seeking and refugee women during pregnancy and early motherhood

“…These findings resonate with a number of existing reports in terms of how the current legislation perpetuates economic, social and cultural marginalisation (Sales, 2002;Healy, 2006;MIND, 2009), and creates negative physical and psychological implications for those who are already vulnerable (British Red Cross, 2010;Refugee Council, 2010;Asylum Aid, 2011;British Red Cross, 2014;Public Accounts Committee, 2014). The findings also resonate with issues raised by asylum seeking and refugee women's descriptions of their experiences of maternity care (Briscoe and Lavender, 2009;Hollowells, 2013;Maternity Action, 2013).…”

Skilled migration from Europe to Australia

“…He argues that the many new mobility patterns, strategies, and forms which characterise European international migration are not being sufficiently incorporated in both academic and policy discourse. There has been a growing recognition of the significance in Europe of the role of student migration (King and Ruiz‐Gelices, 2003; Baláž and Williams, 2004), irregular migration (Cvajner and Sciortino, 2010; Ruhs and Anderson, 2010), retirement migration (King et al , 1998; Bahar et al , 2009), gender (King et al , 2006; Croes and Hooimeijer, 2010), return migration (King and Christou, 2010), skilled hypermobility (Scott, 2004; Millar and Salt, 2007), transnationalism (Hardill, 2004; Tollefsen and Lindgren, 2006), and forced migration (Stewart, 2005; Healey, 2006). The present paper has sought to demonstrate the scale, nature, and significance of the changed migration relationship between Europe and Australia.…”

Global Change and Human Mobility

“…The experiences of female refugees in the destination country are limited by language, education, work experiences and childcare facilities (Koskela 1997;Healey 2006;Moritz 2012). They have no or few legal rights and are powerless and marginalised, and their voices are rarely heard.…”