Identity and sense of belonging of Latina women in the Netherlands.

Cultural differences, or at least perceived cultural differences play a big part in shaping the experiences of Latin American women in the Netherlands. The way Latin American women perceive a contrast between the collectivist, relational nature of Latin American Cultures and the more individualistic, Dutch culture creates both challenges and opportunities for Integration.

BA student Minorities & Multilingualism Anoek Withaar decided to take a closer look after coming into contact with the previous researchers into Latin American immigrants that the SCience Shop facilitated. Along with Margarita González Saavedra, previously of The Verbinders Foundation and Stichting Empower Yourself, she interviewed Latin American women about their experiences integrating in Dutch culture and concluded that cultural identity and sense of belonging played a key role in the integration experiences of Latin American immigrants.

Cultural differences and incorporation

Culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, customs and practices that shape the way individuals and communities interact and perceive the world. It influences everything from social norms and communication styles to work ethics and family structures. According to the women Anoek interviewed, navigating the cultural differences between their Latin American culture and Dutch culture is a significant part of their integration process and poses some challenges.

One of the difficulties that arise is that it is hard for Latin American women to form friendships with Dutch individuals, because of a more reserved approach to socializing but also attributed to busy lifestyles. One important theme is the difference in social interactions and the depth of relationships. Isabella, who recently moved to the Netherlands from Mexico noticed that her interactions with the Dutch rarely cross the superficial level. Here she highlights the perception that Dutch social interactions are often polite but superficial, lacking the deeper personal connection that is more common in Latina cultures. All of the interviewees agree that in Latin America, social interactions tend to be warmer and more personal, with a greater emphasis on forming close-knit relationships and frequent social gatherings, something they miss in the Netherlands.

The exploration of cultural differences and their incorporation is crucial to understanding the sense of belonging among Latina women in the Netherlands. Navigating the contrast between the described collectivist nature of Latin American cultures and the individualistic, direct Dutch culture can create both challenges and opportunities for integration. Successfully incorporating aspects of Dutch culture while maintaining their own cultural identity helps Latina women feel more connected and accepted in their new environment.

Identity shaping

Navigating a new cultural landscape can profoundly impact someone’s sense of identity. And belonging. All of the women that Anoek interviewed explained that they had to negotiate the space they occupy in the new country. One woman says of this: ‘This has been a struggle. At least for me I feel sometimes that I am using someone else's space. Like, ‘you are using my country, you are living in my country’. I felt that from Dutch people not really often but more in the beginning, because of the culture shock. I tried to overcome those feelings.’ This sense of using "someone else's space" highlights the internal challenges these women face as they integrate into Dutch society. This affects their self-perception and career prospects, which highlights the need for greater recognition of their diverse backgrounds.

Despite these challenges, the social networks of other Latin American migrants these women create serves as a crucial support network. These networks provide emotional support and practical advice which stimulate the integration process of these women and provide a foundation upon which Latina women can build their lives in the Netherlands.