Immigration can be defined as the (more or less) permanent movement of individuals or groups across symbolic or political boundaries into new residential areas and communities (Scott and Marshall, 2009). This generally means the transition of a person or a group from one society to another; this transition leads to the abandonment of the former social environments of living and active participation and the installation to a new one (National Center for Social Research [EKKE], 2005, p.67). In other words, the term ‘immigrant’ means that an individual voluntarily abandons his or her country of origin to settle in another country that is usually more economically developed, in order to seek employment and also for political reasons; the second
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This phenomenon of illegal immigration involves a number of factors and variables both for the society of origin and the host society. It is considered as one of the most controversial issues with fierce conflicts and tensions generating myths and reproducing stereotypes. Stereotypes and prejudices are engendered by different attitudes and opinions. Through the present research I would like to investigate what are the factors that fuel xenophobia in Greece. I will firstly scrutinize a myth that is widely spread within a considerable part of Greek society and to some extent in the rhetoric and policies of the current Greek government; then, I will attempt to address the roots of xenophobia by using several scholars and researchers. My claim is that the behavioral perception and treatment on the part of the native Greeks toward illegal immigrants is controversial and based upon a social fear for future and economic
291). …show more content…
This phenomenon of illegal immigration involves a number of factors and variables both for the society of origin and the host society. It is considered as one of the most controversial issues with fierce conflicts and tensions generating myths and reproducing stereotypes. Stereotypes and prejudices are engendered by different attitudes and opinions. Through the present research I would like to investigate what are the factors that fuel xenophobia in Greece. I will firstly scrutinize a myth that is widely spread within a considerable part of Greek society and to some extent in the rhetoric and policies of the current Greek government; then, I will attempt to address the roots of xenophobia by using several scholars and researchers. My claim is that the behavioral perception and treatment on the part of the native Greeks toward illegal immigrants is controversial and based upon a social fear for future and economic