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Multi-Item Scale:

Some people say that the following things are important for being truly German. Others say they are not important. How important do you think each of the following is... very important, fairly important, not very important, or not important at all? <br> <i>[Manche Leute sind der Ansicht, die folgenden Punkte seien wichtig, um eine richtige Deutsche/ ein richtiger Deutscher zu sein. Andere sagen, diese seien nicht wichtig. Wie wichtig schätzen Sie die folgenden Punkte ein?]</i>

Item Text:

a) To have been born in Germany.[In Deutschland geboren zu sein.]

Different Answer Format Tested:

Nein

Findings:

Only three respondents think it is „very important“ (ID 04, 09) or “fairly important” (ID 12) to have been born in Germany to be truly German. While respondent 09 does not further elaborate on her answer, the two other respondents stress the strong influence of one’s surroundings during socialization:
  • “I think it is important to grow into German customs starting from a young age to be a real German.” (ID 04)
  • “I think at the age of 1 to 15, the surrounding environment is very formative. […] You can also see this in the Turks who have been born here – there are many who have been socialized entirely here and who are just as German as others, even if they have a different background.” (ID 12)
Five respondents (ID 05, 06, 10, 15, 16) state that it is „not very important”, eight (ID 01, 02, 03, 07, 08, 11, 13, 14), that it is “not important at all” to have been born in Germany to be truly German. These respondents instead offer a number of different characteristics that make someone “truly German”, such as mastery of the German language, being respectful of German legislation and institutions or possessing German virtues.

Recommendations:

No changes recommended.

Question tested:

false