Returning to Kirkuk from the perspective of the second generation of displaced Kurds: a sociological study

Abstract

The study aims to illustrate the opinion of the youth of the second generation of the Displaced concerning returning to Kirkuk, the extent of their sense of belonging to it, and the obstacles facing them in case they want to return.  In order to reach the objectives of the study, the qualitative approach is utilised, and the researcher conducts semi-structured interviews with (15) individuals from the second generation of the displaced who live in the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.  The results of the study show that the second generation enjoys a high level of social integration and adaptation, as they enjoy a high sense of belonging towards Kirkuk as they still maintain their national identity and their sense of belonging towards Kirkuk, and they are keen on keeping their social relations with their relatives living in Kirkuk, as for their perspective towards returning to  Kirkuk, because of their psychological and social stability in the current environment and their sense of belonging towards it besides their access to suitable opportunities to study and work, they do not wish to return to Kirkuk and settle there again, in addition to the events of October 16, which had negative effects on their assessment of the current situation in Kirkuk, they find returning to Kirkuk as a risk to their lives and their properties also to their psychological and social stability.