Українознавство (Jan 2020)
Transformation of Identity of Internally Displaced Persons in the Process of Their Sociocultural Adaptation and Integration into New Territorial Communities
Abstract
The study considers specifics of change in the identity system of internally displaced persons (hereafter – IDPs) in the process of their sociocultural integration and adaptation in new territorial communities. As a result of the military and political conflict caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, Ukraine has been facing the problem of mass internal migration since 2014. The investigation of differences in values, sociocultural attitudes and expectations of hosting communities in regard to IDPs (and vice versa, those of IDPs in regard to hosting communities) is important, as these attitudes and expectations significantly influence sociocultural and overall communal atmosphere. The knowledge of sociocultural moods and expectations of these social subjects serves as a scientific ground for the support of well-balanced relations between IDPs and hosting communities, including prevention of conflicts related to the discrimination of forced migrants. Adaptation of IDPs to the life in new communities depends on the realism of their expectations: both high and low, they negatively influence the process of adjusting to another cultural environment. The sufficient level of satisfying social, educational, and cultural needs is an important factor in adaptation of IDPs to their new places of residence. This is especially indicated by school enrollment and psychological assistance provided to families with children. Most forced internal migrants state that employment constitutes for them the key problem, sometimes even greater than that of accommodation and social protection. Thus, an account for changes in the identity system of the public and social life of the territorial community is crucial for overcoming the problem of integration and adaptation of IDPs to their new living conditions, preventing conflicts, increasing the level of communication, and, in a larger sense, facilitating national unity and reconciliation.
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