Meaning of life for Young African adults living in Ireland.Evelyn Oboh (1208550), Supervisor Name: Dr.Anna Wolniak.

Method Qualitative research method was used in this study. This design was chosen because qualitative research provides an approach which describes the meaning individuals and groups give their social and human world (Creswell, 2009, pp.4.).

The aim is to establish what life means for young African adults living in Ireland and in order to get an understanding of their views the chosen method should be able to produce a rich data of their perceptions. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to make sure the interviews cover specific areas.

The sample for the research study consist of 8 African young adults living in Ireland, 4males and 4 females. The interview was recorded using mp3 digital recorder. Nvivo 9 software package was used as part of the analysis process to organise research data collected, code them and put them into different themes for analysis. Participants were interviewed individually.

Results

The study looked at issues which gave meanings to the participants lives and the following topics were covered. Arrival, education, friendship, views of the community, family, cultural background and future plans.

Discussion

This study found that many factors contributes to the meaning of life for the participants such as maintaining their original cultures, friendship with their Irish peers, less discrimination in their education and achieving their future plans. Research has shown that sources of meaning of life were, participating in personal relationships, leisure activities, personal growth and meeting basic and certain cultural factors also relates to meaning of life. (Pan et el, 2008, pp.222). Most of the participant seemed to have adapted a strategy as they live in the Irish community at the same time still attached to their cultural backgrounds .

ReferencesBook:Perry, S., Hilary, T., & Mary, P.C. (2007). A Sociology of Ireland (3rd ed), A Multicultural Ireland (pp.164-167). Gill& Macmillan Ltd. Journal Articles:Skokauskas, N., and Clarke, D. (2009). Mental health of immigrant children: A new challenge for child and adolescent psychiatry services in Ireland. Childcare in Practice, 5, 227-233.

Abstract

This study will establish what life means for young African adults between the ages of 18-21 living in Ireland. It will try to understand how they adjust to culture with different cultural norms and values as well as how they view and understand the Irish community and their place within it. Using a Qualitative method which involves interviewing 4 females and 4 males this study will focus on what life means to them in the context of living in Ireland. The transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis. The research gives the participants an opportunity and voice to express their experiences, different challenges they face in their host community and methods utilized to adjust to these challenges.

Introduction. The reason for investigating this issue is the fact that before 1990 Ireland has not experienced multiculturalism, which is a term used to describe the changes that are taking place in Irish society as a result of immigration. In recent times Ireland has become one of the countries in the world that has embraced migrants, asylum seekers and refugees from all walks of life. African community is one of the new communities which have emerged in Ireland in the recent Celtic Tiger era. Following arrival in a new country, African children have to face what is probably be their biggest challenge, and an obstacle to their integration; language barrier and general culture and social differences.

 

.