Migration Studies_final_for SRO.pdf (541.09 kB)
Young Somalis’ social identity in Sweden and Britain. The interplay of group dynamics, socio-political environments, and transnational ties in social identification processes
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 13:21 authored by Sarah ScuzzarelloSarah Scuzzarello, Benny CarlsonIn this article, we aim to contribute to the literature on social identification among migrants and minorities by offering a theoretical framework that accounts for the interplay of socio-psychological factors, local and transnational group dynamics, and the socio-political environment in which migrants live. This approach enables us to analyse not only the political significance of identity, but also the psychology of identity formation. Drawing upon qualitative data, we analyse how young Somalis (N: 43) living in the municipalities of Malmö (Sweden) and Ealing (United Kingdom) construct and negotiate their ethnic social identities in relation to: Somali elders living in the same city; Somalis in Somalia and in the diaspora; and the British/Swedish majority society. We show that, to secure a positive self-identity vis-à-vis these referent groups, young Somalis engage in psychological strategies of separation; social competition; and social creativity. The socio-political environment in which they are embedded influences which strategy they adopt.
Funding
How migrants identify with their societies of settlement: a comparison of migrant communities in Malmo and Ealing (London); Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsradet); VR2011-1166
Somalis in European Cities; Open Society Foundation
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Migration StudiesISSN
2049-5838Publisher
Oxford University PressExternal DOI
Department affiliated with
- International Development Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Sussex Centre for Migration Research Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-05-17First Open Access (FOA) Date
2020-06-20First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-05-16Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedLicence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC