Challenges of learning

Some potential challenges that were identified in this research are (1) cultural loneliness of immigrant women in Finland, (2) inability to communicate in the local language, and (3) dominant enculturation. According to the 2018 OECD report, immigrant women in Finland are a relatively poorly integrated group: immigrant women are seen as not utilizing social activities and mostly remaining outside the labour market, which can have negative impacts regarding the long-term integration of their children into Finnish society (OECD, 2018). However, the integration programme for the target group is flexible. Acculturation could influence the well-being of immigrant women in the North. The acculturation process is influenced by many factors. Some factors can be controlled by individual behaviour, and some are controlled by socio-environmental behaviour (Bandura, 1977). Muslim immigrants can face some challenges when pre-immigration and post-immigration experiences differ enormously from each other, both theoretically and empirically. This transition can hinder the acculturation process towards a new socio-ecological perspective. The sociocultural factors of two different societies have an impact on acculturation in a new environment. Social connections, actions, and interactions have a powerful effect on acculturation as well as social learning systems. Social connections have an effect on social learning systems, and, relatively, social connections and social learning systems have an effect on acculturation.

Life situation is different, life was social enough in my country of origin. Friends, relative are always around us; Frequently we meet each other’s -almost everyday relationship with them as well as neighbors. There were many activities among women - this is missing here.

(F, 30-50)

As well as the social network, network support can also ease acculturation.

It does not mean that immigrant women need network support from their own community, but they need support from the host society. Such support can enhance the immigrant’s social learning capability and motivation.

We speak our own languages when we discuss with our peers, that doesn’t help to learn local language and such discussion doesn’t get that much information about local communities, but give cognitive appraisal of being connected with someone at least. One of my good friends already moved from this city.

(F,35-55)

Social ties or bonds are one reason for successful integration. If the social ties are poor, this causes poor integration into Finnish society (Forsander, 2008).

The relationship of immigrant women with their neighbourhood or any kind of voluntary organization can also support social integration; the absence of some activities also makes immigrant women vulnerable and can hinder their integration. Muslim women are under-represented in the labour market (Chang & Holm, 2017), rarely hold management positions, lack social roles, and often earn less than their male counterparts (Sarvimaki, 2011). The overall employment opportunities for immigrant women, in particular in the labour market, are even worse (Sarvimaki & Hamalainen, 2010). The stress of integration and gender discrimination among families can also hinder the balancing of self-esteem and sense of identity.

Lack of social support or social influence just create a loneliness and feelings of social exclusion in me. Do not feel any community obligation any more. Less opportunities for sociability and cultural activities make us socially vulnerable group. Stress of integration, differences with respect to gender role between this two societies has an influential effect on my life ... since, gender perspectives are different in my family and host societies.

(F, 30-50)

Ethnic identities and lack of language skills limit social interaction and the ability to communicate. Some of the families follow patriarchal patterns of lives, which also hinders women’s empowerment in the host society and causes poor integration results. To a great extent, they are dependent on their family for all decision-making. This creates self-exclusion, which can affect their integration. Lack of family influences causes a lack of determination in immigrant women to be integrated into a new culture.

I didn’t work in my home country and I have many family responsibilities that doesn’t support me to work here. I have to follow my traditional norms and culture which is acceptable by our own community', I cannot do such activities that is not accepted by our ethnic community members.

(F, 30-50)

Immigrants’ ethnic communities are so small in die North when compared with Southern or Central Europe. Therefore, it is important for many immigrants to adhere to their own traditional norms and cultures in order to maintain the limited ties between small communities. As the limited contacts outside their communities create a fear of community' exclusion among them, this can encourage them to abstain from adopting the cultural norms of host societies in order to maintain a relationship with their own community and peers.