'I Stand on My Own Two Feet but Need Someone Who Really Cares': Social Networks and Social Capital among Unaccompanied Minors for Becoming Established in Swedish Society. (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eriksson, Malin; Wimelius, Malin E; Ghazinour, Mehdi
• Is Part Of: Journal of refugee studies. Volume 32:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 372
• Page End: 396
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Unaccompanied minors -- social networks -- social capital -- establishment -- Sweden, grounded theory -- situational analysis; Refugees -- Periodicals; Refugees -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Forced migration -- Periodicals; 305.906914
• DOI: 10.1093/jrs/fey030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-6328

Abstract

Abstract: Settling in a new host country as an unaccompanied minor holds a lot of challenges such as adaptation of new social norms, learning a new language and understanding a new culture. Social networks may foster good conditions for settlement in the host community but little is known about the availability, quality and significance of social networks for unaccompanied minors (UM) in Sweden. The aim of this qualitative grounded-theory situational study was to explore experiences of social networks among UM and the significance of those networks for becoming established in Sweden, based on data from in-depth interviews with 11 young persons. Unaccompanied young persons were broadly found to be involved in three different kinds of networks: professional carers, like-ethnic friends and 'Swedes' in general. Networks with professionals (i.e. linking social capital) were perceived as both a secure base and a source of rejection, and could either facilitate or obstruct the establishment. Supporting networks with like-ethnic friends (bonding social capital) proved to be the most available and important resource for becoming established, while access to networks with Swedes (bridging social capital) was in general low but still perceived as important for becoming established, not least for reducing language and cultural barriers.