Zur Erklärung der Assimilation von Migranten an die Einwanderungsgesellschaft am Beispiel der Vergabe von Vornamen
Jürgen Gerhards; Silke Hans
Given the importance placed on the free movement of persons, services, and capital in the EU agenda, the integration of immigrants from within and outside the EU will become an increasingly crucial issue with the ongoing process of enlargement and integration. In this paper we attempt to answer the question of what conditions are necessary for immigrants from different countries (Southern Europe, the former Yugoslavia, and Turkey) to culturally assimilate to the German population. We measure the concept of assimilation using an unusual, but sound indicator: the choice of first names given by immigrants to their German-born children. Using SOEP data, we show that immigrants from Turkey are less likely to choose names that are popular among the German population as well. Overall, those immigrants who are better educated, Christian and hold German citizenship are most likely to choose names common in Germany. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that the initial situation is quite different for the groups of immigrants analysed. The pool of first names common in Germany is largely determined by the Christian tradition of the country, which it shares with the countries of Southern Europe. Therefore, some of the names popular in Germany are common in Spain and Italy as well, but not in Turkey. Considering the greater cultural and linguistic barriers faced by Turkish immigrants, their willingness and likelihood to assimilate is equal to that of the other groups.