Changes and Contrasts in Attitudes Towards Ethnic Minorities

The Dutch migration debate is characterised by highly polarised and heated interactions. Based on media reports, you would think that everyone is either strongly for or strongly against the arrival of migrants and refugees. However, previous research has shown that the silent majority of the Dutch population is somewhere in the middle. In my thesis, I do not focus on those firmly situated at the extremes of this spectrum, but rather on situations where people change their views on ethnic minorities or where they have 'contrasting' attitudes. In other words: when people are more positive about one aspect of migration and more negative about another. Opinions on ethnic minorities tend to remain relatively stable over time but can change in some cases. In addition, a small minority appear to have contrasting attitudes. These findings reflect a certain conditionality in the acceptance of minorities. All in all, my thesis shows that opinions are not always fixed and that there is room to reconsider. If we know where the boundaries of acceptance and resistance lie, we can also see where opportunities to expand these boundaries lie. 
 
Inge Hendriks (1994) holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, a Research Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Science (cum laude) and a Master's degree in Political Science (cum laude) from Radboud University. In 2018, she started her PhD research at the Department of Sociology and the Interuniversity Centre for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS). She currently works as knowledge and research coordinator for the Directorate General for Migration at the Ministry of Justice and Security and as project secretary of the Fundamental Asylum Reorientation Centre at ABDTopconsult.