Since the 2nd World War Great Britain has tried to fill gaps on its labour market by people from
the Commonwealth. Indies, Pakistani and Caribbean were attracted by prospects of high wage
and social security. On the following pages I want to regard the situation of the Jamaican immigrants,
the largest section among the Caribbean who have entered Britain after 1945. I will focus
on their reasons for immigration, their situation in the educational system and in the British labour
market in past and present. The paper is a formulation of a talk from the 23rd January 2001. For the immigrants from the underdeveloped Caribbean islands, Britain seems as kind of wonderland.
Britain in their eyes does not only mean wealth and security, but as Christian society also
tolerance and charity towards strangers. Many Jamaicans spend all their money to offer their
children better education and a better future. All these expectations had lead to a fluctuation of
immigrants from the Caribbean after the post-war period. The most important reason for leaving
Jamaica is said to be the prospect of further education. In a study from 1994, 25 % of all immigrants
accounted for their step by the prospect of education; another 17 % left their home because
of work and economic prospects1. 1: Saunders, Dave. The West Indians in Britain. London: Batsford Academic and Educational, 1984. 20.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 The Jamaicans in Britain
2.1. Great Expectations
2.2. Change of environment
2.3. The Jamaicans on the British job market
2.3.1 From the 2nd World War to Thatcherism
2.3.2 The Present Situation
2.4. Jamaicans in the educational system
3 Conclusion
4 Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines the socio-economic situation of Jamaican immigrants in Great Britain, analyzing the challenges they face in the education system and the labor market since their post-war arrival. It aims to investigate the discrepancy between immigrant expectations and the reality of life in a highly industrialized society, specifically addressing issues of discrimination and structural barriers.
- Reasons for post-war immigration from Jamaica to Britain.
- The socio-economic integration of Jamaican immigrants in the British labor market.
- Challenges and hurdles within the British educational system for Jamaican pupils.
- The impact of cultural differences and social discrimination on career prospects.
- Comparative analysis of the situation of Jamaicans versus other immigrant groups.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. Change of environment
Jamaica is a poor and underdeveloped island, with an unemployment rate of about 20 %.. 25 % of the people work in agriculture, 43 % in industry ( 1993 )2. In contrast to India or Asia, the Jamaican industry is still in its progress.
Coming to Britain the Jamaicans enter a highly industrialised society, where life is much more complicated. About 80 % of all the immigrants from the Caribbean live in cities, esp. in London, Manchester and Birmingham3. They are confronted with totally different values, horrified by the British attitudes towards marriage or child-raising. A certain problem for the Jamaican people is their new anonymity and own responsibility. In Jamaica the villagers live together like one large family which shares homework and education of children. As a result, the Jamaicans in Britain often group together in small communities, sometimes clubbing together to buy a house. These houses are in general in a terrible state. As a result of the housing shortage in Britain of the last decades the immigrants are forced to settle down in the poorest inner city areas, were accommodation is cheaper. Additionally, they are often faced with Britains who refuse to rent on Blacks. This is just one side of discrimination; another one is that a high number of whites have left the inner city areas, because they did not want to live next to blacks.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the historical context of post-war labor immigration to Great Britain and outlines the focus on the Jamaican community.
2 The Jamaicans in Britain: This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of the immigration process, the cultural transition to a British environment, and the persistent obstacles faced in employment and education.
2.1. Great Expectations: This section explores the motivations of Jamaican immigrants, highlighting the hope for better education and economic prospects as the primary drivers for migration.
2.2. Change of environment: This section discusses the cultural shock and the difficult living conditions faced by Jamaican migrants in British cities upon their arrival.
2.3. The Jamaicans on the British job market: This section examines the shifting role of Jamaican labor in the British economy from the post-war period through the Thatcher era.
2.3.1 From the 2nd World War to Thatcherism: This section details the initial labor demand and the subsequent introduction of restrictive immigration policies targeting Black migrant labor.
2.3.2 The Present Situation: This section highlights the ongoing disadvantages faced by Jamaicans, including the devaluation of their educational credentials and their continued presence in low-paid employment sectors.
2.4. Jamaicans in the educational system: This section evaluates the experiences of Jamaican students and the systemic barriers or cultural misunderstandings encountered in British schools.
3 Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, noting that despite high ambitions, many Jamaican immigrants remain structurally disadvantaged and socially disconnected.
4 Bibliography: This section lists the academic and statistical sources used to support the paper's claims.
Keywords
Jamaican immigrants, Great Britain, Labour market, Education system, Migration, Post-war period, Discrimination, Social mobility, Caribbean community, Thatcherism, Multiculturalism, Unemployment, Cultural differences, Industrial society, Integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the experiences and status of Jamaican immigrants within the British labor market and educational system since 1945.
What are the primary thematic areas of this work?
The core themes include migration motivation, the reality of living in a post-war industrialized Britain, the impact of discrimination, and the structural barriers faced by the second generation.
What is the main objective or research question?
The research explores why, despite high expectations for social progress and education, the Jamaican community in Britain continues to struggle with socio-economic marginalization.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The paper relies on a qualitative review of historical and sociological studies, analyzing data on immigration trends, employment statistics, and educational performance reports.
What does the main part cover?
The main part analyzes the transition from Jamaica to Britain, the labor market fluctuations during and after the post-war era, and the challenges faced by children within the British schooling system.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The work is characterized by terms such as Jamaican immigrants, labor market, educational system, discrimination, post-war migration, and social mobility.
How did the British education system differ for Jamaican children compared to their home country?
The paper notes that while Jamaican schools were often characterized by larger classes and stricter, authoritarian teaching methods, the British system proved confusing due to its liberal approaches and a perceived lack of discipline.
Why do the author's findings suggest a sense of disillusionment among the Jamaican community?
Disillusionment arises because academic efforts often fail to translate into occupational success, due to persistent discrimination and the refusal of British institutions to fully accept Jamaican qualifications.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Bernd Evers (Autor:in), 2001, The Current Situatons of Jamicans in the British Labour Market, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/20801
