STRANGERS AMONG NATIVE — THE NEW REALITIES

Abstract

Confrontation «we» — «they» originates from the ancient, primitive societies. This phenomenon has been so resistant and indestructible. It covers the life of humanity for thousands of years and often results in bloody drama. Annexation of the Crimea and the military conflict in the east of Ukraine involve huge number of negative effects. It brought previously unknown in our country the concept of internally displaced persons — a new type of internal migrants. This article aims to analyze the problem of identity of Ukrainian migrant domestic new type — IDPs (internally displaced persons) from the area of ATO (anti-terrorist operation). The illustrative example of interviews with 20 IDPs was an attempt to show how they integrate into a new environment, or feel «strangers» among local residents and are receiving appropriate help and support from the state. We tried to give a general picture of the range of social, economic, political and cultural problems of these people. The criteria for the categories of «friend or foe» considered as the basis for choosing life strategies (including aspects of socialization and adaptation).The identity of forced migrants is not an abstract phenomenon that requires theorizing, but a serious social problem that needs of the research and urgent attention to prevent social conflicts. We still do not have reliable and complete statistics on internally displaced persons. So sociology faces with a new challenges which need of new approaches and further serious work.