INTEGRATION OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES: TWO CASE STUDIES OF CARITAS SOCIAL CENTERS IN BARCELONA

This abstract presents a comparative research about two case studies in social centers of Caritas Diocesan Barcelona. Both centers works with teenagers and young people: the “Centro Abierto Glamparetes” (from 14 until 16... [ view full abstract ]

This abstract presents a comparative research about two case studies in social centers of Caritas Diocesan Barcelona. Both centers works with teenagers and young people: the “Centro Abierto Glamparetes” (from 14 until 16 years old) and the “Casal de joves Llops Taga” (from 16 until 25 years old). The objective of the research was to know the degree of integration of the sons and daughters of immigrants families before and after the professional intervention in both social centers. The applied objective was to propose aims to improve a better integration of this population.
This study developed a qualitative methodology, with the methods: life story (life story of 15 teenagers and young people), and in-depth interviews (38 in-depth interviews to the adolescents and the young people that resort the social centers, their family and few professions that work in these centers, as the educators and social workers). The study has been done between September 2013 and February 2014.
The research results shows that the intervention of these social centers is a preventive factor in situations of social risk and increasing protection factors. It also highlights the importance of evaluating the interventions on public administrations, on the third sector, and the public policies.
The improvements in social interventions involves providing whith more opportunities and equality these teenagers and young immigrant and also their integration.
KEY WORDS: immigration, teenagers, youth, risk and protective factors