Bertolani Barbara, Italian-North African mixed couples in Reggio Emilia. Continuity and Interruption of Social and Cultural Relationships

The essay analyses how Italian-North African mixed couples living in Reggio Emilia rearrange their social network and redefine their cultural references when they start a family. It is widely believed that those who choose an interethnic relationship enter into conflict with their social and family group, causing, as a consequence, painful relational tensions with their own family background. The analysis of a series of semi structured interviews with Italian-North African couples, however, shows a more complex and diverse process in coping with such relational challenges. Cases of individuals accepting passively a separation from their family network without any reaction are few; more often, the separation is a deliberate choice. This initial separation, however, can still give way to the re-establishment of the previous relationships, the replacement of persons no longer present, or even an increase of social contacts. Whatever the new composition of the social network, however, there is evidence of a planned approach to the couple’s or the individual’s way of life and social interaction. In analyzing the process of redefinition of the foreign partner’ identity, we need to challenge the common assumption that intermarriages necessarily lead to the cultural assimilation of the foreign partner. There are three strategies in establishing identity according to various degrees of continuity/interruption method, which are here defined as ‘alternating”, ‘deliberate selection’ and ‘affirmation’. The completed analysis leads us to consider the possibility of a link among the strategy of identity chosen by foreign partners, the method of rebuilding their social network and the subjective significance attributed to interethnic relationships.

Busato Bianca, Immigrant Women from Maghreb in the Veneto Region. Employment and Cultural Experiences.

The highly industrialized areas of Northern Italy have registered a marked increase in women migrating from Maghreb. This study is part of a university research paper with sociological overtones and does an in-depth examination of the socio-cultural dynamics activated by women from Maghreb with regards to their condition of origin, with particular focus on their progressive openness to the demands of the host society. This survey has given special and privileged importance to the work situation. The interviews have been thorough and have been done through the biographical method, and have targeted women from Morocco and Tunisia residing in the Provinces of Padua, Vicenza and Treviso (in Veneto Region) seeking information on their migration project and on some aspects of their entry into the job market. In the specific Venetian context, their employment opportunities are conditioned by logistical needs and, especially, by family related choices. The women interviewed, for the most part, view maternity as a highly symbolic value which limits their full participation in the production field. In spite of these challenges, however, these women are questioning themselves with regards to these conflicting priorities and are searching for ways to manage their family life and their work commitment. In their diverse experiences and migration projects, the women from Maghreb are quite capable of doing a critical reading and playing a significant cultural mediation role in the context of normative codes - often non negotiable – which define the limits of their identity.

Paltrinieri Casella Anna, Foreign Domestic Workers in Italy. The Possibility of Cultural Interaction.

This article refers to a research conducted among foreign domestic workers in the Provinces of Mantova, Milan, and Sondrio, to promote a better understanding of the difficulties foreign women are encountering with domestic work and cultural interaction that is taking place between the worker and her employer. It is a qualitative research, since only 16 domestic workers have been interviewed. Following the interview, a special group was set up to comment on the results. Foreign domestic workers in Italy are facing some problems. Some are related to the geographical environment (metropolis, small towns, country villages), and to the type of work which keeps them isolated for most of the day, forcing them to share aspects of daily life incompatible with their original culture. Others are related to the stereotypical and inadequate knowledge Italian employers have of the domestic worker’s country of origin. At the same time, the workers themselves quite often lack the means for a more adequate knowledge of Italy's complex reality. This indicates the need of specific formation initiatives to better equip the domestic workers in their experience in the host country.

Bentoglio Gabriele, Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiled

The socio-political situation, that followed the events of the capture of Jerusalem and the deportation of Israelites to Babylonian territories (597 and 597 B.C.), gave Jeremiah the opportunity to address the exiled with a letter. The document includes verses 4-7.10-14 of chapter 29 of the book of Jeremiah. This paper deals with the above mentioned texts in a double perspective. The first section introduces some exegetical matters, such as the historical background, the plan of chapter 29, the identity of those addressed by the biblical writer, the literary genre of the text, and the detailed analysis of each verse. The second section offers a theological interpretation and synthesis of the main themes of the biblical document, namely the constant presence of God in human history and his leadership, even among the tragedy of exile; the deportation may be understood as a new creation made by God, which leads to a renewed hope for the future; integration and co-operation in building up the society; conversion and the realisation of hope. The paper offers some insights into the Bible, particularly into the message delivered by the prophets to the Israelites in exile far from their country. The biblical people were facing a very demanding situation, involving a painful loss of the sense of life, of future, of God. Jeremiah’s aim is that of encouraging his hopeless (countrymen or fellow countrymen) fellow-people. He stresses the opportunity for them to settle down in the foreign country and to seek the welfare of that country. It seems to Jeremiah that the exiled have been given the possibility to acknowledge the will of God: God is going to give šalom to his people, but they have to co-operate through deeds and prayers.

Tassello Graziano, The Documents of Holy See and Migration.

The Vatican documents on migration and refugee problems disclose a profound interest of the Holy See for people on the move and its commitment to safeguard their fundamental human rights and promote a welcoming attitude towards them on the part of local churches and civil societies. The outlook, which at the turn of the 19^th century was mainly religious, becomes more and more holistic in the promotion of the social, cultural, economic and religious well being of migrants and refugees. But the interest of the Holy See does not rest only on migrants. The documents point out the necessity to eradicate the causes of forced migration, which unmistakably stems from social unbalances and the lack of justice and solidarity among nations. The analysis of the Holy See documents is very helpful in uncovering those fundamental traits which allow us to interpret migration from a theological point of view. At the same time, the texts reveal the ethical principles which must guide governments in their dealing with the challenges of this worldwide phenomenon.