Abstract
AbstractIn this article, we examine post‐accession Poles' shifting identity practices through the lens of their attitudes to other Poles in a high‐density post‐accession Polish migration destination, namely the city of Southampton on England's south coast. We examine the impact of human capital (in this instance, we will focus on their ability to speak English) and the extent of their social capital (focusing on the restrictions based on their communicative competence with non‐Polish groups and their particular trust issues associated with compatriots). We contextualise our findings in other research on post‐accession Poles in London, Glasgow, the Midlands of England, the North of England, the Netherlands, Norway, and Brussels, thus drawing together common themes from a wide body of evidence. Through examining biographical data focusing on the everyday lives of our participants, we were able to explore the impact of context on their presentation of their identities and relational practices. By so doing, we exposed the interplay of a range of intersecting factors that result in many of our participants leading restrictive and restricted lives. © 2015 The Authors Population, Space and Place Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Highlights
Accepted 20 October 2014Keywords: social capital; linguistic capabilities; Polish migrants; social networksI n this article, we will examine the impact of context on the relationship and network practices of post-accession Poles
The structure of the article is as follows: In part 1, we review recent post-accession Polish research in the UK; in part 2, we explore particular environmental conditions, for example, our participants’ preference for informal and instrumental engagement in the numerous ‘Polish shops’, and other amenities that have sprung up in Southampton since 2004
What our findings reveal is adaptation to context, when particular environmental and social conditions are combined with low host country social capital especially amongst ‘lower skilled’ postaccession Poles
Summary
I n this article, we will examine the impact of context on the relationship and network practices of post-accession Poles. In part 4, we will analyse the combined impact of social and environmental conditions, for example, our participants’ perceptions of anti-migration attitudes in Southampton, as well as their suspicion of compatriots and the impact that these have on their relationship or network practices. We will examine the latter, following Ryan (2011), not in terms of taken for granted ‘bonding’ and ‘bridging’ networks, but rather through examining identities, relationships, trust, and the capacity to form networks.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
