New multi-cultural identities in Europe: religion and ethnicity in secular societies

Abstract

Th is chapter focuses on how second generation Muslim children of Turkish descent in Belgium (Flanders) move between their home and school culture and how they deal with competing expectations from both worlds. Th e chapter is based on qualitative empirical case-study work on three groups of ten-year-old children attending two diff erent Catholic schools. In general, the children as social actors adopt creative strategies to connect the two worlds. However, specifi c school and home contexts may interfere with children's agency. Th e chapter argues that the way adults at school and at home deploy their power status and introduce ethnic/ religious symbols of diff erence is crucial in understanding this process.