The Emergence of a Middle Class among Turks in Germany: A Move toward Cultural Pluralism

This thesis examines the recent development of a middle class among the current Turkish community in Gemiany. By following the generations of individuals of Turkish descent from the original guest-workers arriving in Germany in the early 1960s on to the third and fourth generations of German Turks, the process of middle class establishment over time becomes apparent. Paralleling the emergence of Turkish middle class, increased acculturation or cultural assimilation has occurred, which is also described herein in terms of generational accomplishment. Finally, this work seeks to determine the relationship between middle class status and integration among this migrant group in Germany. While a causal relationship is not evidenced, a correlation may be discerned, and an environment of cultural pluralism among the dominant German group and the migrant Turkish group may be discovered