Irregular Migration of Moroccan Minors to Spain A Sociological Study of Religious and Cultural Identity
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Abstract
Irregular migration is one of today’s most complex social phenomena and has recently attracted significant media attention. Among its most urgent manifestations is the irregular migration of Moroccan minors to Spain, driven largely by geographic proximity and the search for better living conditions for themselves and their families. This phenomenon calls for an in-depth examination of the challenges these minors face upon arrival in the European context, particularly during their reception in Spain.
This study analyzes the erosion of religious and cultural identity among Moroccan minors during the reception period and investigates the main factors that contribute to weakening their attachment to the foundations of Moroccan religiosity. Migration is not merely a geographical shift but a social act involving numerous variables, including the risk of identity loss.
The research draws on questionnaires administered to minors who experienced irregular migration and resided in Spanish reception centers, as well as interviews with officials and specialists working in these institutions. Because this topic remains insufficiently studied in academic literature, the present work aims to fill part of this gap by highlighting overlooked dimensions of how irregular migration affects the religious and cultural identity of Moroccan minors in Spain.
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