Identity and sense of belonging of Latina women in the Netherlands: A closer look into cultural differences, language barriers, identity shaping and Latina networks

Large numbers of Latin American migrants have chosen the Netherlands as a destination for decades. Latin American migration to the Netherlands has a complex history, characterized by several waves and diverse motivations. The first major wave of migration occurred during the late 1970s, driven by two main origins. One group comprised of Surinamese migrants who were drawn to the Netherlands to fill low-skilled jobs, responding to the labor demands of the Dutch economy (Peixoto, 2005). Concurrently, political turmoil in Latin America led to another significant wave of migrants. Military dictatorships in countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile created a climate of fear and repression, prompting many political exiles to seek refuge in the Netherlands. The early 2000s saw another wave of Latin American emigration, triggered by an economic crisis that affected multiple South American countries. This crisis forced many individuals and families to seek better economic opportunities abroad, within Europe, and also in the Netherlands, becoming a preferred destination. In addition to these major movements, migrants from Dutch overseas territories like Suriname have consistently contributed to Latin American migration to the Netherlands. Since the 2000s the number of Latin American immigrants has increased gradually. According to data published by CBS, 2021 there were about 250.000 immigrants from Latin America living in the Netherlands (2021). This number makes up to 1.5% of the total population in the Netherlands, making it the largest group of immigrants in the country. Even though these Latin American immigrants make up a great part of the population, these immigrants are rarely studied. Unlike irregular migrants or asylum seekers, who often receive attention due to their legal status, Latin American migrants are generally assumed to be well-integrated and therefore get overlooked. This assumption misses the realities that they face, including issues of identity and belonging. Specifically, this research will focus on the experiences of Latina women as they make up two-thirds of the group of Latin American immigrants (CBS, 2021). 5 These women move to the Netherlands either for job opportunities or joining their significant other who lives in the Netherlands. This thesis will aim to discuss the struggles that these women face and will look at the way Latina women create a sense of identity and belonging in the Netherlands. The research question this thesis seeks to answer is: How do cultural adaptation strategies – including language acquisition, community support networks, and negotiation of stereotypes – influence the sense of identity and belonging among Latina women immigrants in the Netherlands?