Jordan and the Refugee Crisis: Impact on the Host Nation

Abstract

This thesis investigated the effect of refugee populations of the culture and society of Jordan with emphasis placed on Jordanian social acceptance of refugee populations as measured through intermarriage. Data was collected quantitatively from 100 female respondents at each of three Jordanian universities regarding values and acceptance of refugee populations as potential spouses using a simple survey. Data was also collected qualitatively by semi-structured interviews with select individuals to provide context. Universities were geographically diverse to allow observation of regional disparities in response. Whitney Mann U test was used to compare significance of answers across universities. Survey data showed that Jordanian acceptance of refugees through intermarriage was low unless they had Jordanian citizenship. There were also indicators that wealth may play a greater role in acceptance than ethnic origin or traditions. I found while societal acceptance of refugees may be growing, especially in the urban areas, governmental restrictions on citizenship, while understandable on the pragmatic level, will continue to create a hurdle for integration. Other factors that affect integration of refugees in Jordan are also discussed.