Britain's young Muslims more integrated than rest of Europe
Ruth Smith
Friday, August 21, 2009
Young Muslims feel much more integrated with British culture than their European counterparts, according to research by Lancaster University.
Children of International Migrants in Europe surveyed more than 2,500 young people in Britain, France and Germany. All were the children of international migrants, including Indians, Pakistanis and North Africans.
It found that young Pakistanis and Indians in Britain preferred TV shows like EastEnders and Coronation Street. Most read The Sun and The Daily Mirror newspapers.
Professor Roger Penn from Lancaster University, said his research showed young Asians in Britain are "not much different" from other young people.
He added: "Just because young people go to mosques doesn't mean they are Islamic fundamentalists."
The research found no evidence of political radicalism. Children of international migrants in Britain expressed very little interest in the politics of their parents' country. Seventy-one per cent of Indians and 43 per cent of Pakistanis expressed no interest. This contrasted particularly with Turks in Germany and North Africans in France.
Penn said: "Britain's model of multiculturalism is proving far more effective for the incorporation of ethnic minority groups than French or German models."
He added: "Perceptions of discrimination were lowest in Britain and highest in Germany, reflecting the failure of the German model of exclusive ‘ethnic nationalism'."
