European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL IDENTITY(IES) OF PORTUGUESE ... 211The problem that originated research with the Portuguesestudents in English schools, their teachers and their parentsAs a Portuguese person I wish I could say that the reason I amresearching Portuguese students in England emerged from a naturalcuriosity about my people. As a Psychologist I wish I could say thisemerged from my interest in psychological processes related to the developmentof cultural identities. But neither of these would be totallytrue. The main reason that generated this project was the «invisibility»of Portuguese students in British schools. Portuguese migrants are wellreceived in England and apparently they manage their lives withoutbeing counted in the formal statistics. Their European Union statusenables them to enter and leave the country without any need of formalregistration. As a Portuguese person I am sure we all highly value thisfreedom, which is possible on the basis of a legal identity of being aEuropean Union citizen. However, there is a cost for our children. Thiscost is related to the Portuguese children and young people’s (under-)performance in British schools and consequently with future opportunitiesin career development. Maria, the Portuguese teacher, clearlyshowed her concern with the conditions of life of the community (andthe children) in the following way:Just, sometimes I feel we should stop this immigration. I know thatpeople are entitled to travel within the European community, but if weinformed people about the life conditions in this country and how hardthings can be in this country, maybe they would stop coming…Because the majority of the families I have met. Not the majority, butsome of the families I have met, they have good conditions in Portugal.They had a school for their children, they had a job, they had a home.(Interviewer: But they decided they’d come here because they thoughtit would be better.) Because the pound is so strong and because theycould earn in a week what they don’t earn in two months, so no wecould involve the community more and we could help the community.Like, I suppose there are things that we can’t do at school. Things likea centre to help the Portuguese citizens like, what are your rights,what are your duties, you should pay tax, you should, you should vote.You are entitled to have council housing. You are entitled to have thisand that if you don’t have enough money to support your own family.So, there’s a big need in that area.The problem of the performance of Portuguese children in Britishschools is not new. In 1976 Ana Santos, the first officer of the PortugueseEducation Department in the United Kingdom wrote: “As happens with anumber of other minority groups, the school performance of most