Demonstrating deservingness and dignity. Symbolic boundary work among Syrian refugees

摘要: Abstract While the literature on boundary making has mainly documented variations in work between groups and institutional contexts, scholars have paid less attention to context of unexpected dislocation a group new context. This article examines how Syrian refugees Belgium deal with sudden loss social status, by analysing they draw symbolic boundaries among themselves, established immigrants native Belgians. Drawing 26 in-depth interviews 39 as well on-going participant observation, we describe our respondents use ‘comparative strategies self’ position themselves dignified worthy individuals. We present two types moral, cultural interlocutors engaged in. They stressed their moral worthiness by, first, distancing from bad behaviour ‘uneducated’ reception centres, materially deprived urban neighbourhoods. Second, especially male displayed strong ethic highlighting renegotiated masculine response status refugee condition. In addition, demonstrated qualities articulating, personal competences aesthetic refinement individuals, and, second, general level education, wealth achievements people whole. sum, these four boundary-making served legitimise presence strengthen vis-a-vis other such compatriots, line previous studies Sherman (2005) Purser (2009), find that are significant reasserting disadvantaged individuals’ sense dignity, whilst working against emergence solidarity wider similar socio-structural positions.