Social work in the Netherlands is attracting an increasing number of Turkish and Moroccan Dutch professionals, mostly second-generation migrant women from a Muslim background. Inspired by Amartya Sen’s capability approach, this article presents the findings of a qualitative content analysis of 40 interviews with professionals by peers from the same background. The question is, what kind of professionals do these newly started social workers desire to be and what hindrances do they encounter? The professionals challenge the dominance of Western beliefs and values. This becomes tangible in their desires and constraints and especially in the process of choice.
Europe is on the path, though rocky, to political and cultural unity. After World War II, relatively large numbers of immigrants moved to Europe and brought with them outside cultural customs and religions. The issue of multiculturalism in society has been on the political agenda for decades, but attitudes have changed drastically since 11th September 2001. Attitudes in relation to migrants, particularly those with a Muslim background, have become more wary and critical. Islam has become associated with violence and terrorism and fears have grown that migration exacerbates this threat to society. These societal developments pose a threat to intercultural education. This article explores the societal situation in the Netherlands and Germany using empirical data and elaborates how youth in the Netherlands and Germany evaluate their relationship with migrant, especially through the dimension of religious tolerance and acceptance.
In dit artikel worden enkele voorbeelden gegeven van de manier waarop jonge moslims de kracht van hun geloof aanwenden in hun leven. Deze voorbeelden zijn gebaseerd op een onderzoek naar religieuze coping vanuit de Islam. Voor dit onderzoek zijn diepte-interviews afgenomen, egodocumenten verzameld en groepsdiscussies gevoerd. De resultaten van het onderzoek dienen ter ondersteuning van de beroepspraktijk voor hulpverleners die te maken hebben met geloofsovertuigingen en/of verschillen hierin. Deze publicatie is de eerste in een reeks onderzoeken naar dit thema.
