Contents Acknowledgments / 1
Chapter 1 The historical and political framework of the study / 3 Introduction / 5 The main aim and research questions of the study / 10 Migration and structural inequalities in Sweden / 14 Youth identity, culturalization and social work / 17 Kurdish experiences of otherness and resistance in the Middle East / 30 The organization of the dissertation / 37
Chapter 2 Method and Methodological Considerations / 41 Introduction / 43 Constructionism and researching identity / 43 Experience as a mediated site of knowledge / 47 Sampling and sites /49 The research interview and ethical considerations / 53 Qualitative content analysis / 57 Researcher and research participants: representation, power relations and identity / 60
Chapter 3 Theoretical Perspectives / 69 Introduction / 71 Postcolonialism, intersectionality and subjectivity / 72 Racialized immigrants, stigma and modes of resistance / 79 Identity formation, belonging and citizenship / 88 Nationalism, gender and ethnosexual frontiers / 96
Chapter 4 Historical injustices and politics of denial and recognition / 103 Introduction / 105 “In Sweden I have a two meter long Kurdish flag in my balcony” / 105 The politics of denial and recognition in everyday life / 110 Islam as a contested Kurdish identity / 115 Enacting and justifying a Kurdish nationalist project / 121 Summary / 127
Chapter 5 Unequal citizenship and strategies of dealing with ethnic discrimination in Sweden / 131 Introduction / 133 “If I was accepted as a Swede, why do you think that I am talking about colouring my hair and eyes” / 133 The power of stigmatization and belonging / 141 The quest for positive visibility and success / 146 The magic of return and the fleeting condition of homeliness & homeland / 150 Unrealized promises of citizenship rights / 156 Dealing with ethnic discrimination and racism / 164 Summary /175
Chapter 6 Multiple belongings: Intersection of gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality and nationalism / 179 Introduction / 181 Subordinated femininities and masculinities / 182 The stigma of “honor-killing”: Kurds in Swedish Eyes / 185 Responding to racist representations / 193 The “imports” and internal otherisation among young Kurds / 198 Marriage strategies, political boundaries and racism / 202 Summary / 214
Chapter 7 Discussion and Conclusions / 217 Politics of belonging and challenges for social work / 219
References / 239 |