Relationships

After immigrating to Spain, Moroccan refugees begin to build relationships within their communities, school, and work. These relationships ground individuals to one another, but also to their new environment. Moroccans, who make an effort to interact outside their immediate social circle, are better equipped to understand the attitudes, customs, and culture of their host society.

For Moroccan refugee youth, their friendships with Spanish youth become one of the most important points of reference in learning the language, interaction behavior, and the norms and values of the host country. In some cases, the desire to belong within their peer groups and the larger Spanish society overshadow traditional family and religious values—causing interpersonal tension at home. Similar to other aspects of immigration, relationships challenge Moroccan refugees to find balance between Spanish culture and their own.