“It's Like Fighting for Survival”: How Rejected Black African Asylum Seekers Experience Living Conditions in an Eastern German State

Scott, Penelope

doi:10.1080/15562948.2017.1316534

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The discussion about changing the system of state-provided reception centres with restrictive and even repressive regulations limiting asylum seekers’ autonomy is subject to a lively debate in reports and studies. A study on asylum seekers in an eastern state in Germany emphasized on the perceived negative consequences of repressive regulations and various socio-environmental challenges during the asylum seeking process [ 59 ]. Based on a study of accommodation centres in the Czech Republic, a report by the International Organization for Migration labelled these centres as long-term “confinement” and “tools of migration control”, stating that in reception centers, control and assistance go hand in hand, creating a repressive environment for asylum seekers [ 60 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Asylum seekers’ experience of financial hardship was also reported in the United Kingdom where the majority of asylum seekers are needy upon arrival [ 61 ]. A recent qualitative study on asylum seekers’ experiences with living conditions in Eastern Germany also highlights women’s perceived lack of resources and multitude of socio-environmental challenges during the asylum seeking process [ 59 ]. Disposing of limited financial means is burdening for asylum seekers and results in limited consumption potential, a social determinant of health at the meso level, with perceived negative consequences during pregnancy and early motherhood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“If you can, change this system” -Pregnant asylum seekers‘ perceptions on social determinants and material circumstances affecting their health whilst living in state-provided accommodation in Germany - a prospective, qualitative case study

et al. 2019

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BackgroundPregnant women and new mothers seeking asylum are highly vulnerable and have special needs, yet there is dearth of research related to this group in Germany. This paper reports on material circumstances and behavioural factors as social determinants of asylum seekers’ health during pregnancy and early motherhood. The study aim was to gain in-depth insights into these women’s experiences and perceived needs with a focus on material circumstances whilst living in state-provided accommodation in one federal state in Southern Germany.MethodsA qualitative, prospective approach was taken with individual semi-structured interviews of participants during pregnancy and up to the six-week postnatal assessment, aiming at interviewing each woman twice during pregnancy and once after giving birth. Two female interviewers performed interviews assisted by female professional interpreters on the telephone. Interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. An inductive approach was taken to perform content analysis of interview material.Results21 interviews were performed with nine women seeking asylum in pregnancy and early motherhood. Content analysis of women’s perceived health-related needs revealed significant health challenges due to considerable constraints in two major themes each with associated categories: a) material circumstances and b) behavioural factors. Participants’ experiences of living conditions included significant challenges in terms of housing and neighbourhood quality e.g. poor hygiene standards with fear of disease and restless sleep due to threats of violence. Consumption potential was severely limited because of a minimal living allowance. Food was a major preoccupation for all participants. Catering services in state-provided accommodation were perceived as unsatisfactory and neglecting religious practices. Institutional food provided adequate calorific intake but participants reported loss of appetite due to bland food, limited variety, little choice and unfamiliar tastes. Self-catering was prohibited further exacerbating this problem.ConclusionsPregnant asylum seekers and new mothers living in state-provided accommodation experienced major restrictions related to material circumstances in this study. Key results identified housing and neighbourhood quality, consumption potential and nutrition as social determinants of health which women perceived to adversely affect their health, especially during pregnancy and early motherhood.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6481-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“If you can, change this system” -Pregnant asylum seekers‘ perceptions on social determinants and material circumstances affecting their health whilst living in state-provided accommodation in Germany - a prospective, qualitative case study

et al. 2019

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“…This system forces migrants to live a “parallel universe” (Selders 2009:11): their social interactions are minimal and they are under the permanent control of public authorities. As shown by Scott (2018) and Täubig (2009), this system leads to deep and widespread feelings of isolation, humiliation and fear among migrants. These feelings are reflected in the testimonies collected by activists involved in the Caravan.…”

Section: Fighting Marginalisation: the Caravan For The Rights Of Refumentioning

confidence: 97%

“…A central dimension of this system is the restriction to their mobility, which leads to their exclusion from the public space. For example, this system is created by the forced geographical distribution of asylum seekers across the German territory, in collective accommodation centres that are located in remote areas (McDonough 2009; Scott 2018). This spatial and social marginalisation is reinforced by the fact that asylum seekers do not have the right to work.…”

Section: Fighting Marginalisation: the Caravan For The Rights Of Refumentioning

confidence: 99%

Protestors’ Emotional Work in Contexts of Marginalisation: The Emancipation of “Forced Migrants” in Germany

Monforte

2020

Antipode

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This article explores the relation between migrants’ political subjectivity and the emotional dimension of protest. Although a vast literature analyses these dimensions, few studies have explored how social movements aim to trigger processes of political subjectivity formation and emotional transformations in contexts in which activists face marginalisation. I propose to analyse the effects of such a context through the focus on a movement mobilising against the exclusion of migrants in Germany. I show how activists strategically construct a political subjectivity based on the “forced migration” and “resistance” framework and aim to trigger feelings of emancipation among participants. At a more general level, I explore the transformative dimension of protest through the analysis of how activists strategically aim to transform negative and deactivating emotions (isolation, humiliation, and fear) into positive and activating emotions (loyalty, determination, and pride) in the course of collective action.

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“…They are neither fully legal nor fully illegal pending a definitive ruling on their application, 871,662 of which were pending at the end of 2018 (Eurostat, 2019a). While waiting (often for years) they are typically denied the right to work and to move freely (Craig, 2013;Hampshire, 2013: 69-76;Scott, 2018), though the EU's Reception Condition Directive (2013) obliges member states to provide some basic services such as emergency healthcare, family unity or children's education (Ataç, 2019). When finally denied asylum (around 558,000 in 2018), many flee authorities and therefore fall into the ranks of the undocumented (European Asylum Support Office, 2019).…”

Section: Regular Migrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bordering in Europe: Differential Inclusion

O'Brien¹

2019

Border Crossing

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Borders exist and operate not only at formal frontiers but also outside and within European countries. Furthermore, borders both exclude and include migrants. This article advances the theory of differential inclusion. It provides a more nuanced understanding of processes of bordering that comprehends irregular migration as a phenomenon that is not only officially denounced and combatted but also unofficially tolerated and facilitated by European states. The analysis reveals that differential inclusion is transforming citizenship in Europe away from officially desired equality toward unofficially tolerated stratification. Employing Foucault’s notion of “assemblage”, the article also seeks to shed light on not only whose interests are undermined but also on whose interests are served by differential inclusion.

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“It's Like Fighting for Survival”: How Rejected Black African Asylum Seekers Experience Living Conditions in an Eastern German State

Cited by 7 publications

References 21 publications

“If you can, change this system” -Pregnant asylum seekers‘ perceptions on social determinants and material circumstances affecting their health whilst living in state-provided accommodation in Germany - a prospective, qualitative case study

“If you can, change this system” -Pregnant asylum seekers‘ perceptions on social determinants and material circumstances affecting their health whilst living in state-provided accommodation in Germany - a prospective, qualitative case study

Protestors’ Emotional Work in Contexts of Marginalisation: The Emancipation of “Forced Migrants” in Germany

Bordering in Europe: Differential Inclusion

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