Social workers’ contribution to success in lives of young Moroccan-Dutch

In two studies we investigated the views of Dutch social professionals and young Moroccan-Dutch on success and failure factors in the social participation of the latter group in the Netherlands. In the first study, professionals (N = 148) emphasized ties and life skills. In the second study, we compared perspectives on participation via interviews with Moroccan-Dutch (N = 61), aged 18–34 years, and Dutch social workers (N = 45), aged 20–64 years. Both emphasized inclusion, integration, schooling, skills, working harder than mainstream Dutch, positive feedback, the relationship of trust and motivation. However, participation is hampered by stigmatization, victim-blaming attitude, poor parenting, weak skills, limited ties and access to social work. Weak ties with mainstreamers were due to exclusion according to professionals and to cultural barriers according to Moroccan-Dutch. We found differences, using chi-square tests, in engagement with co-ethnics, native Dutch or a mixed group, education, SES and between successful and unsuccessful Moroccan-Dutch. Professionals advised not to focus on the anti-immigrant climate as this is resistant to short-term change but underlined combatting exclusion. Moroccan-Dutch respected professionals who supported them unconditionally. Their participation associates with ‘social Triple C’: climate, capital and competence. Strengthening these resources is the best intervention for successful participation.