Assertions and aspirations: agency among accompanied asylum-seeking children in Sweden. Issue 4 (4th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ottosson, Lisa; Eastmond, Marita; Cederborg, Ann-Christin
• Is Part Of: Children's geographies. Volume 15:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 426
• Page End: 438
• Publication Date: 2017-07-04
• Subjects: Agency -- asylum-seeking -- children -- liminality -- personal projects -- tactics; Geographical perception in children -- Periodicals; 305.23
• DOI: 10.1080/14733285.2016.1271941
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-3285

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Research on asylum-seeking children tends to disregard those in parental care. In particular, little is known about children's own perspectives. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Sweden, this article explores the ways in which accompanied children experience and seek to overcome challenges posed by asylum reception. The focus is on children's ambition and ability to form their everyday life, given their ambiguous position of tentative emplacement. Theoretical inspiration is sought in Ortner's 'agency of personal projects' and de Certeau's concept of 'tactics', analysed through the prism of liminality. The study found that while some tactics aimed at avoiding situations and settings that made children uncomfortable, others involved influencing their situation through pursuing 'personal projects'. Many children's strivings were directed at creating 'a normal life' and a place for themselves in Swedish society. The findings challenge the idea that accompanied children are more protected from difficulties and responsibilities than those seeking asylum alone.