When integration fails to create social cohesion: the Belgian integration paradox

Abstract

This paper explores the socio-cultural distance between natives and non-natives in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Flanders. We do so by discussing the paradoxical findings of an integration survey among native Belgians living in less privileged neighbourhoods (N=284) and non-native Belgians with a Turkish or Moroccan background (N=456) indicating the complexity of living together in a culturally diverse society. We look into socio-cultural integration by elaborating on four indicators which are currently relevant in the public and academic discourse concerning integration: 1) language proficiency/usage, 2) social capital, 3) value orientations, and 4) identity. We found that even though many of the non-native respondents orientate towards the Belgian society, a considerable part of the native respondents has a negative attitude towards non-natives. Moreover, the native respondents are more negative about Moroccan immigrants than about Turkish immigrants. The latter is even more eye-catching since Moroccan immigrants identify themselves more as Belgian, participate more in associations of natives, and more often speak Dutch in comparison to their Turkish counterparts. So, our findings reveal a paradox of integration.