Syrian refugees and other Syrian forced migrants in Jordan: forms of capital approach - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Syrian refugees and other Syrian forced migrants in Jordan: forms of capital approach

Authors: Jauhiainen Jussi S., Vorobeva Ekaterina

Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Publication year: 2023

Journal: British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies

Journal name in source: BRITISH JOURNAL OF MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES

Journal acronym: BRIT J MIDDLE E STUD

Volume: 50

Issue: 2

First page : 281

Last page: 299

Number of pages: 19

ISSN: 1353-0194

eISSN: 1469-3542

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13530194.2021.1964068

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/13530194.2021.1964068

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/67267481

Abstract

The article explored human, social, and economic capital of Syrian refugees and other Syrian forced migrants in Jordan. Interrelations of their human, social, and economic forms of capital affected their everyday lives in Jordan as well as their future migration aspirations. The data consisted of a semi-structured survey among 408 Syrian refugees and other forced Syrian migrants in Jordan. Varied combinations of these forms of capital significantly impacted the well-being of these Syrians in the host state. Those who consolidated human capital and possessed dispersed and open social networks created coping strategies through education and employment that were more likely to be effective, and they considered immigrating to countries that are more developed. Syrians who lacked capital stocks in Jordan often found themselves at the risk of poverty, immobility or forced return to their ruined livelihoods in Syria. The article debunked the myth about powerlessness and passiveness of refugees and other forced migrants and drew attention to their agency and assets. Their levels of vulnerability in the host country significantly varied among individuals with different capital stocks. The authors provided policy recommendations on empowerment of these increasingly vulnerable migrants.

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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Strategic Research Council at the Academy of Finland [303167].