Abstract
The growth of the refugee population and other Displaced People has risen at an unprecedented level over the past decade. Migration patterns have changed to include women and children, who were historically underrepresented in migration studies. This study sought to encourage conversation around teenage refugees, through understanding their experiences of how they assimilate in a new host country. Most research typically focuses on pathological outcomes of displacement, yet evidence shows that with a conducive environment, refugee children can be assisted to successfully assimilate, to become functional members of their families and communities. Similarly, the South African government recognised that refugee children have special needs considering their dependence, vulnerability and developmental stages and has ratified various international norms that protect the rights of refugee children. The theory of Segmented Assimilation was used to understand how children assimilate in new environments, and how structural factors around them can hinder or encourage assimilation. Eight teenage refugees participated in this study and in-depth interviews were employed to solicit rich texts from the participants. The findings of the study revealed that conditions arising from displacement and resettlement exerted their own influence on adolescent refugees, therefore, compromising the healthy development of young refugees who are in the adolescent stage. On the other hand, teenage refugees have found coping mechanisms that have encouraged successful assimilation. Religion, schools, friends and kin have been identified as support structures that provide basic needs, security and a sense of familiarity for teenage refugees that find themselves overwhelmed in a new environment. Overall, the study found that refugees are not victims of their circumstances as they have the agency to successfully assimilate and productively contribute to their host communities if given the right support.
M.A. (Social Impact Assessment)