Racism in Malta : are legal migrants living in Malta accepted by the Maltese?

Abstract

The movement of people across cultural and national boundaries is motivated by a search for better social and economic conditions, peace and freedom. Some immigrants feel a sense of belonging and strive to make Malta their „second home‟. Whereas others are less willing to become full participants in the receiving society, but seek to separate themselves from interaction with the host individuals. Immigrants start to be exposed to a new cultural environment far different from the one they were socialised in. A culture encloses within it, the norms, values, beliefs and expected patterns of behaviour. Consequently, immigrants find themselves in the midst of two cultures. To incorporate themselves within the host country, immigrants have to decide which acculturation strategy they have to adopt. However, the Maltese society‟s receptivity towards newcomers has to be taken into consideration when examining the immigrants‟ acculturation process. Moreover, acculturation is affected by various aspects, starting from the reason of migration, intended permanence in the host country, attitudes of the host individuals and social support available. In fact, poor living conditions, few opportunities for economic betterment and conflict are the major motives that lead migrants to leave their country of origin. Consequently, this study attempts to identify the immigrants‟ incorporation process and to understand to what extent Maltese society is tolerant or not towards newcomers.