MULTICULTURAL SOCIAL WORK

Multicultural Social Work

Multicultural Social Work

Introduction

It is estimated that 5.6 million British nationals live abroad permanently, with a further half a million living abroad for part of the year, significantly outnumbering the 2.9 million foreign nationals living in the UK (Wessendorf 2010, pp. 156). Although in the UK, the political and media focus has always been on the impacts of immigration and particularly the lack of integration of minority ethnic groups, there is evidence that retired British migrants do not integrate well into the countries they move to. Belonging is a recurrent theme in identity and migration discourse. It is particularly important when attempting to understand experiences of migration since often people become aware that they need to belong precisely when they realise that they do not.

Contextualising UK Retirement Migration to Spain

Intra-European migration is now a well-documented phenomenon among older people. In Europe, retirement migration has been mainly movement from north to south, usually not for economic reasons - although lower cost of living is an issue, but for leisure opportunities and quality of life issues such as an equitable climate and availability of amenities. Often migrants have spent time in the place and are familiar with the lifestyle. For UK migrants, Spain is the most popular choice for retirees. Born during the mid 20th century, this demographic group, often referred to as 'baby boomers' would have benefited from the increased opportunities associated with growing up in a time of post-war affluence and being in good health (Sue 2008, pp. 89). They also experienced a mass consumer revolution; benefits from capital accrued from owner-occupation and the opportunity to retire early. People born at this point in time were also the first generation to experience the benefits of foreign travel and cheap air fares.

Migration to the Costa Blanca on the South East coast of Spain has a relatively short history compared to migration to the Costa del Sol. This migration has been facilitated by the speculative private development of urbanizaciones de turistica which are effectively purpose built residential areas for northern European migrants or 'residential tourists' (Steinberg 2009, pp. 322). Some of these properties are purchased as second homes while others become permanent residences. In the main these urbanizations are on the outskirts of established settlements and are marketed by international estate agents to different European countries which create concentrations of nationalities in particular areas.

Belonging Out of Context

Anthias is one of few writers who articulate what belonging means, defining it as “the sense of being accepted or being a full member” (Roysircar & Sandhu 2007, pp. 167). Another way of understanding belonging is to conceive of it as 'a sense of intimacy with the world'; therefore, belonging is often multi-dimensional, particularly if those people are displaced. Since: 'Immigrants form groups on the basis of common ethnicity and settlement experience, but also according to place of origin, spiritual adherence, cultural and social differentiation and enhanced social capital' (Pope-Davis 2003, ...