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Record |
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Author  |
Puhakka, R.; Pitkanen, K.; Oinonen, I., |
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Title |
Does nature support the integration of immigrant youth? A study on adolescents in the city of Lahti, Finland |
Type |
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Year |
2021 |
Publication |
The 10th MMV Conference: Managing outdoor recreation experiences in the Anthropocene – Resources, markets, innovations |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
MINA fagrapport |
Issue |
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Pages |
328-329 |
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Keywords |
MMV10 |
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Abstract |
Successful integration of immigrants has been identified as the key for future social and economic well-being in EU. In Finland, a great share of the recent immigrants consists of people who have come to Finland as asylum seekers from countries whose cultural and natural environment is different from the Nordic countries. Nature has traditionally played a central role in the Finnish identity, although there are signs of polarisation in relation to nature among younger generations (Hakoköngäs & Puhakka 2021).Meanwhile, it is increasingly recognised that contact with nature promotes psychological, physiological, and social well-being and health (Keniger et al. 2013). Contact with nature can play an important role for social cohesion and immigrant integration (Jay & Schraml 2009). Green spaces seem to be especially important for immigrant youth to make contacts and friends across cultures (Seeland et al. 2009). Hence, nature can be an important means for integration, but it should also be understood as a resource that should be equally accessible to all (Gentin et al. 2019). Gentin et al. (2019) have suggested that the relationship between nature and integration can be understood in terms of structural and cultural integration that emphasises the importance of equal access to natural environments and knowledge related to nature. Nature is also important for interactive and identificational integration by offering a platform and means for social interactions and a meaningful target to form emotional bonds with other people and places. This study applies the framework of integration (Esser 1999; Gentin et al. 2019) to study how nature supports the integration as well as the well-being of immigrant youth in Finland. We explore adolescents participation in outdoor recreation and their well-being experiences of and relationships with nature in the city of Lahti. We analyse the differences between the immigrant and non-immigrant groups to discuss how nature can support the health and well-being as well as interactive and identificational integration of immigrants, and how structurally and culturally inclusive nature is to the youth. |
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Call Number |
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Serial |
4346 |
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