Rebuilding Lives After Genocide

This book examines how genocide survivors rebuild their lives following migration after genocide. Drawing on a mixture of in-depth interviews and published testimony, it utilises Bourdieu's concept of social capital to highlight how individuals reconstruct their lives in a new country. The data comprises in-depth interviews with survivors of the Rwandan and Bosnian genocides, and the Holocaust. This combination of data allows for a broader analysis of the themes within the data. Overall, Rebuilding Lives After Genocide seeks to demonstrate that a constructivist, grounded theoretical approach to research can draw attention to experiences that have been hidden and unheard. The life of survivors in the wake of genocides is a neglected field, particularly in the context of migration and resettlement. Therefore, this book provides a unique insight into the debate surrounding recovery from victimisation and the intersection between migration and victimisation.

Autorentext

Linda Asquith is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Leeds Beckett University, UK. She has been working in higher education for the past 10 years. Prior to this she completed the Imperial War Museum Holocaust Education Fellowship in 2006-7. It was this fellowship that prompted her decision to conduct research which focused on Holocaust survivors and their experiences. Alongside her academic work, Linda has also worked in the field of Holocaust education and regularly gives talks on Holocaust Memorial Day to community groups.

Inhalt

About the Author. 7

Chapter 1 - Introduction. 8

Abstract 8

Keywords. 8

Defining 'genocide'. 14

Defining 'victims'. 18

The focus of this book. 21

Methods, Methodology and Ethics. 22 Specific experiences of survivors of genocide. 27

Structural Overview.. 29

References. 30

Chapter 2 Bourdieu and Social Capital 36

Abstract 36

Keywords. 36

Bourdieu and Social Capital 41

Habitus. 45

Linguistic Habitus. 49

Field. 51

References. 55

Chapter 3 Migration and Acculturation. 58

Abstract 58

Keywords. 58

Theories of Migration and Acculturation. 69

Integration, Bourdieu and Social Capital 75

References. 83

Chapter 4 New Lives: Initial Adaptation. 87

Abstract 87

Keywords. 87

Utilising existing social capital 89

The Kindertransport 89

Leaving after the genocide. 93

Use of symbolic capital 95

Why the UK?. 98

Cultural attachments. 102

Role of family. 104

Reconnecting with families. 108

Adaptation through independence and dependence. 111

Leaving the genocide behind. 112

Need for other people. 113

Pride in independence. 115

Reliance on others. 118

Risky individuals. 125

References. 132

Chapter 5 Resettlement and Reintegration: Adapting to life in the UK. 134

Abstract 134

Keywords. 134

Resettlement and Reintegration: The role of education and employment 135

The impact of family and class background on education. 138

Purpose of education. 140

Starting small and working hard. 143

Resettlement and Reintegration: The role of support groups. 147

Community Groups. 148

Participation in sport 152

Formal support organisations. 156

References. 172

Chapter 6 Identity and Adaptation. 174

Abstract 174

Keywords. 174

Defining Identities. 176

Hierarchy. 188

Nationality and Alienation. 200

Talking. 209

References. 225

Chapter 7 Conclusion. 229

Abstract 229

Keywords. 229

Concluding thoughts. 230

Succeeding as a survivor. 240

Policy Implications. 241

References. 246

Bibliography. 248

Index 260