Construction of Adult Identity in the Context of Migration (the Case of North Ossetian Diaspora in Moscow)

The purpose of this study is to examine how do representatives of North Ossetian diaspora in Moscow construct adult identity in the context of internal migration. Unlike most researches on migrants’ identities, this particular one will be focused on two generations of North Ossetians in Moscow and analyse the process of adult identity construction. To answer the research question, we will conduct 20 interviews with the members of diaspora, belonging to the first or second generation of this diaspora and having different experience in terms of migrations, – some of the participants once moved to Moscow, while some of them were born here. We suggest that this might have a certain effect on their construction of adult identity while being ‘in-between’ two different cultures – Moscow and Ossetian cultures. If the purpose is achieved and the suggestions are justified, we might be able to give some practical recommendations on the well-being and life chances of immigrants from North Ossetia in Moscow, their adaptation strategies and perspectives of further changes in behavior regarding such important parts of adulthood as marriage, employments and etc. The present Project Proposal consists of a brief overview of the social and academic background to the problem, and a review of fundamental theory of relevant concepts, empirical research of different strategies and the methodology of the proposed research.