Between Two Cultures: Multiculturalism and Voices of Children of Turkish Guest Workers on the Failed Project

Year 2022, , 237 - 253, 30.12.2022

H. Nur Yasar

https://doi.org/10.34247/artukluakademi.994059

Abstract

This research explores German multiculturalism departing from the debate on failing to build a multicultural society. It demonstrates examples of lived experiences and voices of migrant children once objects become active subjects in breaking stereotypes and misconceptions. Multiculturalism in Germany is associated with immigration and non-European guest workers. Immigration and the “foreigner” problem started with the settlement of guest workers, who were invited as a need to fill the lack of labor force, in the West-Germany, after the Second World War. The request for a labor force did not intend to create immigrant communities with cultural differences to settle into the society. Thus, integration into German society became essential to prevent problems seemingly coming from migrant communities. “Leitkultur” [leading culture], embodying notions of monocultural German society and cultural identification of “Germanity,” influenced educational approach, recognition of diversity, and social equality towards immigrant children. Nevertheless, migrant children found ways to deal with multicultural issues and empower themselves to build a multicultural society in their understanding.

Keywords

Multiculturalism, Turkish migrants, German education, Integration, Identity

İki Kültür Arasında: Çok Kültürlülük ve Türk Misafir İşçi Çocuklarının Başarısız olan Projeye dair Görüşleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma Alman çokkültürlülüğünün çokkültürlü bir toplumun inşasında başarısız olunduğu tartışmasına değinerek, bu sürece maruz kalan göçmen çocuklarının stereotipleri ve göçmenlere dair yanlış kanıları yıkmakta aktif özne haline gelmelerini yaşanmış deneyimler ve duruma dair görüşleri üzerinden incelemektedir. İkinci Dünya Savaşı sonrasında, Batı Almanya’nın iş gücü eksikliği sebebiyle davet ettiği misafir işçilerin yerleşmesi ile göçmen ve yabancı sorunları başlamıştır. En baştan beri farklı kültürden gelen misafir işçilerin oluşturduğu bir göçmen topluluğunun yerleşmesi düşüncesi kabul görmemiştir. Bunun sonucu göçmen topluluklarından gelebilecek olası sorunların önlenmesi için entegrasyon ve çokkültürlülük politikaları önem arz etmeye başlamıştır. Özellikle eğitim üzerinden misafir işçilerinin çocukları Alman toplumuna adapte edilmeye çalışılmış, fakat pedagojik yaklaşım olarak çokkültürlülük unsurlarından farklı olarak Alman kültürü değerlerini temel alan Leitkultur [yöneten kültür] etkisinden uzaklaşılamamıştır. Alman toplumundan izole ve ayrı bir şekilde iki kültür arasında kalan göçmen çocukları ise bu süreçte toplumda yer edinmenin yollarını aramakta olup çokkültürlü bir toplum oluşumu için aktif olarak faaliyetlerde bulunmaktadırlar.

Keywords

Çok kültürlülük, Türk kökenli göçmenler, Alman Eğitimi, Entegrasyon, Kimlik

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