Urban Life and Redefinition of Immigrants’ Identity: Afghan Women’s Acculturation in Germany

Immigration to Europe has significantly increased over the past several years and Afghan refugees are the second largest displaced group entering European borders after Syrians. Germany has been a preferred destination for many refugees and in 2015 the country welcomed over one million asylum seekers from around the globe which made it as some called it “Kabul of Europe". Immigration, both voluntary and forced, is driven by social, political and economic factors. Urban life in Europe, especially in a developed country like Germany, is completely different from traditional life in Afghanistan. After spending times in the camp, Afghan women gradually enter the urban life of the destination country which impacts the function of a traditional Afghan family. This article tries to seek the notion of "change" amongst Afghan families while they encounter migratory experiences in urban life in German societies. The main aim of the research is to analyze the process of acculturation of immigrant Afghan women in Germany in terms of educational attainments, language proficiency and entering to the workplace which will empower and enable them to redefine their identity in their new urban setup. This research is based on a qualitative method which consists of 51 in-depth interviews with Afghan (Hazara) migrant girls and women in refugee camps, as well as the city of Hamburg and Bremen in Germany.