The parallel society: social services givers and users

Abstract

The author analyses the emergence of a parallel society among immigrants who arrived at Catalonia (Spain) on behalf of the recruitment of social services staff and users. The article shows the symbolic and political hierarchies established and the relationship between «Us» and the «Others». This has consequences in the confronting interests of the autochtonous population, nationalist in great proportion, and foreign immigrants, who are a social and cultural minority. The author finishes her writing by showing the kind of exchanges between both social groups as regards the political project of Catalan nationalism.