Young Newcomers' Convoy of Social Relations: The Supportive Network of Accompanied Refugee Minors in Urban Belgium. (18th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huysmans, Minne; Lambotte, Deborah; Muls, Jaël; Vanhee, Jan; Meurs, Pieter; Verté, Dominique
• Is Part Of: Journal of refugee studies. Volume 34:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 3221
• Page End: 3244
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18
• Subjects: Accompanied Refugee Minors (ARM) -- social networks -- social support -- urban society -- qualitative research -- Convoy Model of social relations; Refugees -- Periodicals; Refugees -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Forced migration -- Periodicals; 305.906914
• DOI: 10.1093/jrs/feaa130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-6328

Abstract

Abstract: Social networks play a crucial role in migration processes, facilitating adaption and well-being. Yet, accessing and establishing supportive ties in the host society are far from evident. This study voices the ways by which Accompanied Refugee Minors (ARM) (re)create supportive networks across multiple borders shortly after arrival into an urban environment, by applying Kahn and Antonucci's Convoy Model of social relations. In order to do so, 25 ARM who recently migrated to urban Belgium were interviewed. Most of the ARM have little links to their new living environment. Their fragile networks are homogenous and seldomly connect to the urban context they live in. This group of newcomers is positioned in an intermediate position: on the one hand, they are mostly seen as 'accompanied' children where parents are seen as primary source of support; on the other hand, they are young refugees, both enhancing exclusionary aspects in their connection to the broader society surrounding them.