Turkish Immigrants in Italy: On Migration and Living Together

This article, which focuses on the experiences of Turkish immigrants living in Italy, examines how the migration process paves the way for living together with differences and for cultural, social and economic change. As part of a qualitative study, data was collected through interviews with 50 Turkish immigrants using a snowball sample and participant observation. The results show how Turkish immigrants maintain their differences in Italy and how these differences are maintained in an intertwined environment that is mutually beneficial. Immigrants do not tend to suppress other identities in order to prove their identity. On the contrary, they enrich the social structure by passing on their cultural values. This situation allows both the immigrants to express themselves and the natives to learn about other cultures. The interaction between Turkish and Italian society breaks down prejudices and strengthens the sense of common life. This article shows how living together with differences strengthens the common life and how it contributes to the immigrants’ adaptation processes to the new way of life.