The Social and Cultural Practices of Immigrant Adaptation: Notes on the Integration Potential of the Host Society

Abstract

This is an original research paper regarding immigrants’ social and cultural practices within the context of adapting to the host society, in light of said society’s integration potential. Based on the experimental data collected during studies in Moscow, Penza, and Tambov, along with a comparative analysis, we determined that the social and cultural adaptation of immigrants is a multivalent phenomenon. Furthermore, we modeled the social and cultural profile of the average respondent, which varies by region; determined the trends in immigrants’ social attitudes; analyzed their opinions on what future awaits them in Russia; and recorded respondents’ attitudes towards the culture of the host society (Russian society). Sociologists point to the “problem areas” of modern immigration policy. The policy flaws are a fundamental factor that lowers the integration capacity of the host society.We believe that it is essential to design a universal dual-component social and cultural policy for helping immigrants adapt and integrate themselves into society. We think it necessary to design this policy on a step-by-step basis, that prioritizes both individual rights and the cultural traditions of the host society. The effectiveness of its measures should be ensured by developing at least two essential components and including them into the adaptational “program field”: the first component is a system of measures aimed at the gradual familiarization with the Russian language and Russian cultural traditions; while the second component is the creation of the special information-based sociocultural environment of a welcoming host society.

Keywords

• sociocultural adaptation
• immigrants
• integration potential
• host society
• migration policy