The term integration (Latin integratio) means „restoration of a whole“ (Hillmann 2007, 383). In sociology, it refers to a „behavioral and conscious integration into or alignment with value structures and behavioral patterns“ (ibid.). Usually, a social group or individuals of a homogeneous society are contrasted and compared with each other, so that classifications can be made between the integrated and the non-integrated (cf. Gregori 2015, 25). It is a very complex term, so there is no consensus on what exactly is meant by it (cf. Grosche 2015).
Various definitions
The German Council of Experts (SVR) of German Foundations for Integration and Migration cites the following definition:
The SVR understands integration as the participation of all in the central areas of social life with as equal opportunities as possible. These range from upbringing and early education in the family as well as in preschool public institutions, school education, vocational training, and a life that is self-determined through work and its earnings and not dependent on transfers, to – status-dependent – political participation as well as participation in a wide variety of protection and welfare systems in the legal and welfare state (Sachverständigenrat deutscher Stiftungen für Integration und Migration 2019). Filsinger confirms this definition and summarizes integration as „the equal participation (access justice) in the economic, ecological, social and cultural resources of society“ (cf. Hinrichs 2003 cited in Filsinger 2008, 8).
System integration and social integration
Esser, on the other hand, distinguishes integration between social integration and system integration to make the term more understandable. System integration is understood as the inclusion of a social system as a whole (cf. Esser 2004, 53). Social integration, on the other hand, refers to the relationship between individuals and their inclusion in an already existing social system (cf. ibid., 46). Four dimensions can be distinguished from each other:
– Culturation, which refers to the assimilation of „knowledge, skills, and cultural ‚models,‘ specifically including linguistic socialization“ (ibid.),
– placement, which refers to the „assumption of rights and the taking of positions“ (ibid.),
– interaction, which deals with the linking of social relationships and inclusion in central networks (cf. ibid.), and
– identification, which is achieved through a certain loyalty to the social system (cf. ibid.).
Integration can succeed in different ways, but here are some general tips:
Literature
Esser, Hartmut (2004): What alternative to „assimilation“ actually exists? In: Bade, Klaus/ Bommes, Michael (eds.): Migration-Integration-Education. Basic questions and problem areas. IMIS-Beiträge Heft 23. Osnabrück, 41-59.
Filsinger, Dieter (2008): Conditions of successful integration – Integration monitoring and evaluation. Expertise commissioned by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Bonn.
Georgi, Viola B. (2015): Integration, diversity, inclusion. In: Magazine II, 25-27. https://www.die-bonn.de/zeitschrift/22015/einwanderung-01.pdf [19.08.19].
Grosche, M. (2015). What is inclusion? In: Kuhl, P./ Stanat, P./ Lütje-Klose, B./ Gresch, C./ Pant, H. A./ Prenzel, M. (Eds.): Inclusion of students with special educational needs in school achievement surveys. Foundations and findings. Wiesbaden: Springer, 17-39.
Hillmann, Karl-Heinz (2007): Dictionary of sociology. 5th ed. Stuttgart: Kröner.
Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (2019): Immigration Society. https://www.svr-migration.de/glossar/ [19.08.19].