Growing up in Spain: integration of the children of immigrants

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the final phase of the Longitudinal Study of the Second Generation (ILSEG, in its Spanish acronym) in Spain, which was carried out in three phases between 2006 and 2017 based on surveys of a statistically representative sample of the children of immigrants and the native population. The findings support the theory of segmented assimilation – the conceptual framework used for this study. The similarity observed between the children of immigrants and the native population on a series of important issues indicates a generally positive process of integration and the participation of both groups in a shared social universe. Some exceptions to this general pattern are, however, identified, and warnings are given about their possible consequences.

Keywords

• Spain
• longitudinal research
• children of immigrants
• segmented assimilation
• integration