Domna Michail

Social development and transnational households: resilience and motivation for Albanian immigrants in Greece in the era of economic crisis

This paper examines the ways in which the Greek economic crisis has affected the social development of Albanian immigrants in both the sending and the host country. It focuses on transnational households and family development projects and examines the degree of resilience and the power of motivation that drives people’s reactions during the crisis, comparing first- and second-generation immigrants. My research focuses mainly on those Albanian immigrants who by the third year of the economic crisis still live in Greece. The empirical analysis is based on primary data derived from participant observation, a semi-structured questionnaire with second-generation migrants and in-depth interviews amongst first- and second-generation Albanian immigrants residing in both urban and rural areas in Greece.

Working here, investing here and there: present economic practices, strategies of social inclusion and future plans for return among the Albanian immigrants in a Greek–Albanian border town

This paper examines the capital and non‐capital investment practices of Albanian immigrants living in a border town in Greece. It argues that both permanent settlement and return are open possibilities for the Albanian first‐generation immigrants who seem eager to be integrated into Greek society and at the same time reluctant to abandon the idea of return in the future. Second‐generation immigrants, however, view the possibility of return as unlikely. Fieldwork was conducted in a town in north‐western Greece and the empirical analysis is based on primary data derived from participant observation, a semi‐structured questionnaire and in‐depth interviews among Albanian immigrants in the fieldwork area.

Disability in Multicultural Theory: Conceptual and Social Justice Issues

Multicultural theorists in education tend to treat disability as part of cultural diversity and apply a minority group model to disability rights. We critically examine the fundamental presuppositions and social justice issues behind this assimilation of disability into a multicultural frame of reference. The implications of the neutralization of disability are discussed. Reasons for reconciling different views of special education and multicultural education to better achieve social justice are detailed. Policy implications of noting the differences between people with disabilities and minority groups are suggested.

Diasporic youth identities of uncertainty and hope: second-generation Albanian experiences of transnational mobility in an era of economic crisis in Greece

ABSTRACT This paper explores various dimensions of ‘gender’ and ‘mobility’ among immigrant youth from a transnational perspective in an era of economic crisis. The extent and parameters of continuity, contestation and change in migrant youth identities are analysed and we suggest that neither gender nor identity are stable categories but are embedded in sociocultural particularities both in the country of residence (Greece) but also in the country of origin (Albania). Through in-depth interviews with 52 participants, all second-generation Albanian immigrants in Greece born to two Albanian parents, the paper addresses youth identification in relation to gendered representations of belonging. The narrative accounts that we have selected and analysed reflect the emotional challenges, constraints and creativity of Albanian youth.

Youth mobilities, crisis, and agency in Greece: Second generation lives in liminal spaces and austere times

ABSTRACT This paper explores various dimensions of “mobility” and “agency” among second-generation immigrants in Greece who have experienced the economic crisis throughout their studies at Higher Education Institutions. Following their studies in Greece, second-generation youth migrants graduated at a time when the crisis had already been leading hundreds of thousands of mostly highly skilled Greeks to emigration, resulting in a severe “brain drain” for Greece. First-generation immigrants’ investment in their children’s education has been vital as an integration strategy and as a means of achieving social mobility. It has also been an asset during crisis times when the prospect of re-migration seems more than a possible option setting new challenges for youth mobility on a local, global, and transnational level. Nevertheless, the vast majority of our participants manifest their will to remain in Greece and struggle for their future in the host country. Through in-depth interviews with 130 participants, all second-generation Albanian, Bulgarian, and Romanian immigrants in Greece, 30 born in the host country and the rest in the country of origin, the paper addresses youth agency in relation to geographical mobility, education, and personal development.