History and Situation of Somalis in Great Britain - Essay Example

?The Somali profile in UK Insert Task The Somali profile in UK The Somalis form the second biggest ethnic marginal group in Tower Hamlets and Camden and one of the biggest ethnic faction in Hammersmith and Fulham, Brent and Leicester. Other places with high concentration of the ethnic group are Liverpool, Cardiff and Sheffield (Rutter 2004, p35). The Somali people are natives of Somalia a nation found in Africa. This paper outlines the community profile of the Somali community in London. Some of the issues described include a history of the group in the UK and their population, analysis of their characteristics such as language, religion and their family structures. The paper also analysis the unemployment issue of the Somalis and the causes of the unemployment in London. The map below shows the location of Somalia in the African continent. Somalis in the UK, Migration and History Trends The Somali migrated to UK due to civic problems in Somalia. Somalia has had many problems since the ousting of formal government in 1991. Most of the Somali natives have escaped the worn-torn country to various destination including Kenya, Ethiopia and UK. The Somalis started their migration to England in notable figures in the early 1990s and formed the biggest group of refugees in the land then (Griffiths 2004, p25). The Somalis who fled to UK are a mixture of various clans most of whom are Muslims. Some of the Somalis migrated to Diaspora to join others who were living there (Werbner 2002, p126). Previous researches indicate that the Somali population has been in UK since the early 1980s (Grifiths 2002, p20). Most of the Somalis living in England are found in London. The number of Somalis living in London is approximately 70,000 people while the large proportion of them is found in Tower Hamlets. These are approximately 13,000 people (IOM 2006, p5). The map below shows the distribution of the community in UK. Location Somali-born All Somali London 33, 838 70000 Ealing 3,045 15000 Tower Hamlets 1,353 15000 Islington 1,226 4000 Sheffield 1,306 5000 Manchester 1,225 6000 Leicester 872 15,000 Birmingham 820 4,000 Cardiff 788 10,000 Liverpool 678 5,000 Source:IOM2006,p5) The Socio-economic issue Unemployment in the Somali community A study conducted in 2004 indicated that the level of unemployment among the Somali community was high and was more than 70% (Adfam 2009, p20). Some of the barriers causing the unemployment of the Somali people in London include invalid pre-migration qualifications and improper or inappropriate contacts in the land in addition to loss of significant skills due to the migrations. The unemployment problem is enhanced by the fact that most of Somalis prefer similar job to those they held in Somalia. Only a few of them about 15% have the required skills and training to acquire jobs in London. In 2006, more than 70% of the Somali living in London were jobless (Adfam 2009, p20). Lack of employment opportunities has led to desperation among many Somali people. They have in turn resulted to chewing khat as a means of passing time (Baafuo-Awuah 2005, p20). This has been a major problem and has been blamed for rising in crime and impotence among the males (James 2006, p44). Men 35years and above Women 35 years and above Young people 35 years and below With Jobs 900 400 450 Jobless 1100 2800 2350 Total 2000 3200 2800 Source:Adfam2009,p20 Discrimination and racial issues Part of the unemployment problem of the Somalis in London is based on the issue of education. This is because compared to other ethnic groups in London in issues such as levels of wages and retaining of jobs, the Somalis perform worst. The issue of unemployment thus cannot be justified based on discrimination of black minority groups Harris 2006, p54). The Somalis are discriminated on the first impression created by nomadic settlers that they are poorly educated. Most of the women are poorly educated while the only educated people are the young individuals who have been able to enroll in the UK education system (Harris 2006, p44). Although a few individuals are educated, they are not adequate to erase this impression created by the first settlers. The Somalis are usually frustrated by the lack of jobs in London because among them exist a few highly educated men and women. Some experts exhibit the extent of their underutilization of professional expertise where doctors employed as drivers and jobless qualified teachers. The same problem persists in the private sector where Somalis who were previous self-employed in their some country are unable to set-up private businesses in London (Harris 2006, p44). This is partly caused by the fact they have not acquired permanent residence in England. Entrepreneurial activity is not adequate to substitute employment opportunities with notable government organs in London. The unemployment problem of the Somalis in London is also a national problem because it raises the country’s benefits bill and enhances famous sensitivity of refuge seeker scroungers. On an individual perspective, lack of jobs leads to enhanced poverty levels, isolation, depression and low self-esteem (Harris 2006, p45). The Somalis are thus marginalized and dispossessed of an opportunity to integrate with the British Society. Problem with Spoken English The Somalis have a problem in communicating using the spoken English. This is a great problem because it contributes to their unemployment problem. Since the Western information surrounding is alien to most of them, other than those enrolled in colleges, they are not familiar with libraries. This is serious drawback to the Somalis progress in learning English because they are unable to communicate effectively with the natives (Diriye 2006, p12). This leaves the Somalis to advise one another leading to situation where individuals may be ill advised and attend inappropriate colleges (IOM 2006, p13). The problem of inability to communicate in English impacts learners’ progress in schools and has caused a generation gap between the parents and their offspring (Chappell, Clarke & Harding 2007, p11). Most of the Somalis this have a problem in communicating in English and are unable to either comprehend spoken English or read most of the content written in English (IOM 2006, p13). The older Somali women are worst hit with a majority of them unable to communicate in any foreign language. Some of factors that contribute to this problem include distraction resulting from war and absence of prior schooling in their native land and the fact that their native language Somali was unavailable in the written form. Other significant contributing factors include the issue of the Somali being an oral society and for most of the Somalis, English is their third or fourth Language (IOM 2006, p13). As an oral society, it is difficult to learn other languages including English. Health among the Somali Community in London The health of the Somali community in London has not been perfect since their migration to UK. Some of the health problems affecting them include diabetes, tuberculosis, hepatitis and AIDS. According to the Somali health advisors in London, one of the significant contributing factors to their poor health is malnutrition resulting from poverty (Harris 2006, p53). Other factors include poor housing and language barrier. Although the city authorities have the responsibility of providing proper housing to the Somali immigrants, this does not always happen leading to the Somalis seeking shelters in damp and old structures (Cole & Robinson 2003, p20). Others find themselves temporary shelters in hostels. Small children are locked indoors and are not allowed to integrate with others from the natives. Most of the Somalis thus suffer from overcrowding which enhances the intensity of communicable diseases. Lack of access to health care facilities ensures that the health status of the Somalis is on downhill trail (Harris 2006, p54). Mental health A study on refugees in London found that the Somalis were worst affected by mental health problems than any other community in the city. Somalis experience various mental problems extending from stress problems, which cause suicide problems among the young people. Other mental problems include autism and extreme conduct disorders, severe learning disorders and traumatic responses to stress. Further researches have revealed that the most prevalent mental problems among the Somalis include depression PTSD and anxiety problems (Harris 2006, p54). Most of the depressed people are the elderly who have been affected by the sudden change of living lifestyles because their lives are very different in London compared to their native country. Isolation, grey skies, low temperatures characterize the London environment, which is different from the warm and social environment in Somalia. The young people are affected by divergences between their native environment and the London one in terms of peers and educational institution set-ups (Bloch & Atfield 2002, p23). Class and generation enhance mental problems, which intensify the vulnerability. The former rural folks are different from the urban Somali people although both experienced similar migration circumstances. The rural immigrants are unfamiliar with the hustles of the city life and are thus worst hit by depression problems. The educated Somalis adapt easier to the city lives and are thus not prone to mental problems (Harris 2006, p54). Changing Roles within the Somali Family The role of the woman in the Somali community has changed. The changing trend has resulted empowerment of the woman as well as lack of job opportunities for the men. This in turn has lead to change of roles with some women requiring that they share all the duties in their homes including the kitchen chores. This has lead to divorces and separations for the men who are unable to adopt the changing trend in their families (Chappell, Clarke & Harding 2007, p14). Other problems arising from this trend is increase in crime rate among the youth. The young people cannot understand the problems their parents are experiencing and family breakdowns. This implies that they have to seek advice and support from other people with the risk of being introduced to criminal activities. The changed lifestyles have completely transformed the gender roles of the Somali people (Chappell, Clarke & Harding 2007, p15). In their native Somalia, the rural women had the vital reproductive responsibility in the nomadic economy. The men were characteristically absent from all the home chores which included tendering of livestock, kitchen work and looking after the children. In the urban settings, the women assisted the men in raising the families either through professional or non-professional jobs (Kapteijns 1995, p244). However, in both settings the man was in control of the families. This is all changed in the London setting because the men are no longer assuming this dominant role. This began in Somalia during the civil war where women fled to immigrant camps and exile. In London, women easily abandon their unemployed husbands who do not assist in clearing bills and are just dependent on their wife’s salaries (Chappell, Clarke & Harding 2007, p15). This has led to rise in divorce cases among the Somali ethnic faction in London. Another issue that has led to divorces and family breakdowns is the change in culture. The British culture does not recognize the Somali norms in relation to marriages (Harris 2006, p62). The British women do not marry as young as the Somali ones do. Many women have opted to pursue their careers at the expense of families. This has greatly eroded the significance of marriage among the Somalis and has enhanced the women independence (Harris 2006, p62). The women have also been more-financially enhanced than the men. Most women living in London are legible to acquire interest-free loans from the welfare system. Through this arrangement, the women are able to cater for their daily needs and thus do not find the need of marrying or keeping a jobless man (Patel, S.L. 2008. Domestic violence Although domestic violence cases have been declining among the Somali living in London, they are still prevalent especially among the new immigrants and the unenlightened Somali women (Iman & Eversley 2002, p23). The forms of domestic extend from forced marriages, physical assault and forced circumcisions (Sharp 2009, p4). The Somali women are worst affected whereby they are forced to marry after being subjected to female genital mutilation (Sharp 2009, p7). Their partners further assault through rape until they conceive. This is however changing with time as the Somali women are being empowered financially and in knowledge making then independent from men. Most of the women have been enlightened on how to handle domestic violence cases. This enlightened of the women has resulted to increase in number of divorces and family breakdowns because some men feel that women are subjects and should be treated as so (Sharp 2009, p4). Conclusion and Recommendations This paper has outlined the community profile of the Somali community in London. Most significantly, it has analyzed the major social problems affecting the Somali people in UK with a view of devising solutions to these problems (ICAR 2007, p15). The paper has noted that the Somali community has undergone significant transformation since settling in UK. The roles and responsibilities of the Somali people living in London have been changing rapidly due to the empowerment of the women by the Western culture (Patel 2008, p5). Most of the men are unable to support their families in the foreign country due to lack of appropriate educate leading to unemployment. This has empowered the women and most of them are independent of their husbands (Chappell, Clarke & Harding 2007, p14). The authorities should address the health challenges these people are facing because they increase the government spending. The issue of unemployment should also be addressed because the Somalis are not in UK due to their liking but due to the circumstances in their native country. They should thus be allowed to access education to fit into the British job market. Bibliography Adfam 2009, Becoming visible. The Somali community and substance use in London. Adfam, London. Baafuo-Awuah, F. 2005, Community Engagement Programme: khat Awareness, Brent Drug and Alcohol Team. Bloch, A. & Atfield, G. 2002, The professional Capacity of Nationals from the Somali Regions in Britain, Refugee Action and International Organization of Migration. Chappell, A, Clarke, A. & Harding, J. 2007, Family Matters: Intergenerational Conflict in the Somali Community. London: London metropolitan university. Cole, I. & Robinson, D. 2003, Somali Housing Experiences in England, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK. Diriye, A. 2006, The Ticking Bomb: The educational Underachievement of Somali children in British schools, London: Wiley Griffiths, D.J. 2002, Somali and Kurdish Refugees in London, Ashgate, London, UK Griffiths, D.J. 2004, Somali Community and Kurdish Refugees in London: New Identities in the Diaspora, Ashgate: Aldershot Harris, H. 2004, The Somali Community in the UK: What we Know and how we know it, London, ICAR ICAR, 2007, Briefing: The Somali Refugee Community in the UK Iman, F. & Eversley, J. 2002, Forced marriages in the Somali Community- A report, Public Policy Research Unit, Queen Mary University London. IOM, UK. Somali Regions. Mapping exercise. International Organization for Migration, London June 2006. 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