Integration of Recognized Refugees and Immigrants Children living in the Czech Republic

The issue of integration of children of asylum seekers and immigrants living in the Czech Republic is the theme of the thesis. I have chosen the topic because I find it very interesting and an up-to-day subject which is in the way of all citizens of the Czech Republic. I have focused the theoretical part on clarifying some concepts, such as: asylum seeker, immigrant, foreigner, refugee, unaccompanied minors, integration and other ones. The aim of the thesis is to find out obstacles for the integration of children of asylum seekers and immigrants living in the Czech Republic. For the implementation of the research part of the thesis, I have chosen the qualitative type of research - the method of interview - the technique of interview. A sociometric test has been chosen as a complementary method. The research was conducted in Permon, a facility for foreign children, from January 2011 to March 2011. The Research Group No 1 consisted of ten immigrant children from 7 to18 years old (in case of students their age could be 21 years at the utmost). The research of asylum seeking children was not enabled. The facility is obliged to protect the children and does not provide any information about them. I have processed the results through the form of case studies. For the purpose of the research implementation, I have divided the integration into five areas (language, culture, housing, social relations and needs). A questionnaire designed by PhDr. Kovařík and Prof. Dunovský was another independent part of my research. In the area of language, it came in sight that most immigrant children communicate in Czech language which they learned from their parents or, and it is very rare, in detention facilities for foreigners. The most frequent problem in this area is writing (spelling). In the area of culture, it came in sight that despite the possibility to observe customs of their original countries, very few respondents cherish them here in the Czech Republic. Customs and traditions differ from country to country, but it does not hinder the integration of children of immigrants. As for the area of housing, all respondents are living in the facility for children ? immigrants. They travel home, if there is the home, only at weekends or according to capability of their parents. All but two respondents are happy at home. In the area of social relations, it came in sight that if respondents need any help, they mostly approach teachers and educators but also friends and parents. In the last area, the area of needs, it came in sight that the most frequent need is to be with their families and then the need for greater freedom. The additional questionnaire for children revealed that what respondents are the most worried about is that they will not see their families any more. On the other hand, weekends spent with their families and leaving the facility are the two things that they are looking forward to the most. It is possible to say that respondents feel that the facility is a barrier which prevents them from integration into mainstream society and deprives them from their freedom. The sociometric test was performed in one secondary school and in one primary school in the town of Písek in February and March 2011. The Research Group No 2 consisted of students of different grades and age (7-17 years old) including foreigners. The test was performed in five classes. The test results showed that foreign children have no problem with their integration. Based on the results of the sociometric test, it is possible to take the assumption that the origin of children is not an obstacle in communication with other children. This assumption can be a basis for more extensive research. It is possible to use the thesis as a basis for any quantitative research. What is more, the thesis can serve the general public to increase their awareness of this issue