The problems in the French banlieues have been discussed for decades. Some German migration researchers warn of “French conditions” in this country. But is this a serious risk?
The unrest that has flared up in France’s suburbs for decades bears witness to a history of failed integration. So also now after the death of a youth by a police shot. Even though a recent migration study in France shows that living conditions are improving for second-generation immigrants, many feel discriminated against – including those with a French passport. Researchers agree: Despite many efforts, little has changed in terms of social isolation and disadvantage in the banlieues.
In the post-war decades, they were pounded out of the ground to create affordable living space in metropolitan areas. But the high-rise settlements have long since turned into social hotspots. Those who climbed a rung on the social ladder moved away, while a separate microcosm of crime and a high proportion of foreigners developed in the apartment blocks. The settlements are characterized by immigration from countries formerly colonized by France. According to the migration study by the Insee institute, more than 30 percent of migrants from Africa live in such often overcrowded quarters.
Around 7 million migrants lived in France in 2021, which corresponds to 10.3 percent of the population, plus a slightly larger proportion of second-generation migrants. According to the Insee study, France is one of the European countries with the largest proportion of people who have at least one foreign-born parent. The migrants are increasingly living in the metropolitan areas, especially in the greater Paris area.
Second-generation migrants also feel discriminated against
The conflicts between suburban youth and France’s police force are intertwined with the emergence of hotspots. As a separate subculture developed there, the apartment blocks became no-go areas. Nevertheless, the officials show their presence there with massive appearances. The drama of mutual violence was brought to the big screen in 1995 by the award-winning film “La Haine” (Hate): In the final scene, a police officer and a suburban youth both point a pistol at the other’s forehead – then a shot is fired.
According to the Insee study, first-generation migrants in France are disadvantaged in the labor and housing markets, they have more frequent health problems and are twice as likely to be affected by poverty as the average population. It looks better for the second generation. In terms of schooling, she is now catching up with young people without a migration background and is also gaining a foothold on the job market. However, there are still disadvantages when looking for an apartment and a job. This can also be seen from the still large proportion of second-generation migrants who feel discriminated against.
No focal point suburbs in Germany, but similarities
There are also social hotspots in Germany. The deputy chairwoman of the Advisory Council on Integration and Migration, Birgit Leyendecker, nevertheless sees significant differences. She says: “The so-called banlieues were practically pounded out of the ground as workers’ quarters. There was a lack of infrastructure, paediatricians, sports fields and youth clubs.” In Germany, on the other hand, after the recruitment of the so-called guest workers, no large residential areas were built for foreign workers. But here, too, there are individual places where the living conditions are poor and the proportion of people with a migration background is high.
An example of this is Dortmund’s Nordstadt. Studies have shown that the districts there are primarily “residential districts of arrival” because of the low rents. “About half of the people who live there move away again within 15 years,” says Leyendecker, who teaches at the Ruhr University in Bochum.
In 2022, the proportion of people with a migration background in the total population in Germany was 28.7 percent. Of the 23.8 million people with a migration background, 12.2 million were German citizens and 11.6 million foreigners. In the west of the republic, the proportion of people with a migration background is significantly higher than in the area of the former GDR. In terms of population statistics, a person has a migration background if either they or at least one parent was not born with German citizenship.
The relationship between young people from deprived areas and the police is also problematic in Germany. However, cases of massive violence and property damage are rarer than in France and of a much smaller scale.
Way out of poverty difficult
Studies show that the chances of advancement for people from poorer families in Germany are not good. This does not only affect people with a migration background. “It is very important that enough is invested in good schools and leisure activities for children and young people from troubled districts,” warns integration researcher Leyendecker. Also so that the young people could get out of their neighborhoods and have other experiences. “We also have to start with the day-care centers,” demands the researcher. “Because we know that it is difficult for migrant families to get one of the few places for children under the age of three.”
“Fortunately, we don’t have conditions like in France,” said Leyendecker. And at the same time warns: “If we don’t ensure a good infrastructure in problem areas, it could happen here one day too.” After all, there is now an awareness in Germany that racism is a problem and there are also some projects and programs to counteract this. Nevertheless, more anti-racism training is needed – for example in schools and also with the police.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
