Imigracija dėl šeimos susijungimo Lietuvoje: lytis ir etniškumas socialinės adaptacijos procese ; Immigration for family reunification to Lithuania: the role of gender and ethnicity in the process of social adaptation

Abstract

The aim of the research of the dissertation is to investigate the peculiarities of social adaptation of migrants on the ground of family reunification by assessing the impact and the links of social context, gender and ethnicity. In order to accomplish the set aim and goals, as well as to present a comprehensive picture of the phenomenon of family reunification in Lithuania, various research methods are combined and a wide spectrum of literature and databases are used in the dissertation. They include: analysis of the structural (contextual) factors of family reunification and social adaptation (analysis of family reunification policies implemented on the EU and national level; statistical data analysis of the dynamics of the phenomenon of family reunification in Lithuania; analysis of data of the public attitudes towards immigrants survey); interviews with experts who represent governmental institutions and NGOs in the field of migration and migrants' integration; and interviews with migrants on the ground of family reunification who shared their personal experience of migration and social adaptation. The main idea that is developed in the study is related to the attitude that the type of social adaptation is not consciously chosen and is more than individual strategy, because this process is influenced by the social context of the destination country. Furthermore, in the dissertation gender neutral phenomenon of social adaptation is studied by taking into account gender sensitive approach. Such methodological approach complements underdeveloped migration feminist research methodology in Lithuania. Besides, an intersectionality approach is applied in the study in order to show if and how gender and ethnicity categories manifest and intersect during the process of social adaptation.