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Vänskapandets gränser - En socialantropologisk studie om utsikterna att skaffa vänner som individ med migrationsbakgrund i samtida Sverige

Thomsson, Saga LU and Tostrup, Kalle (2025) SANK03 20251
Social Anthropology
Abstract
This study explores the challenges young adults with a migrant background face in relation to making friends in Sweden. It is based on fieldwork carried out at a venue we call “Mötesplatsen”, an NGO which aims to create a social and safe space for people with migration experiences. Through a person centered approach, specific individuals' experiences regarding overcoming loneliness and making friends are analysed. The empirical findings build upon participant observation, conversations and semistructured interviews with young adults with experience of migration at the venue. The Public Health Department in Sweden reveal that there might be a higher level of experienced loneliness amongst individuals born abroad, but the group is too small... (More)
This study explores the challenges young adults with a migrant background face in relation to making friends in Sweden. It is based on fieldwork carried out at a venue we call “Mötesplatsen”, an NGO which aims to create a social and safe space for people with migration experiences. Through a person centered approach, specific individuals' experiences regarding overcoming loneliness and making friends are analysed. The empirical findings build upon participant observation, conversations and semistructured interviews with young adults with experience of migration at the venue. The Public Health Department in Sweden reveal that there might be a higher level of experienced loneliness amongst individuals born abroad, but the group is too small to be covered by their method. Thus, this study investigates the topic further with a qualitative method, especially focusing on making and upholding friendships. A majority of the study´s informants arrived throughout 2015 during what has since been called “the migration crisis”, which has been followed by significant reforms regarding Sweden's migration policies. This constitutes the context in which the study is conducted, and our informants' experiences are tied to what is at stake for them during different stages of citizenship. The study shows that situations of continuous upheaval through moving between different parts of Sweden, waiting and the migration process itself as well as the social space provided by the venue affect the outlook of making and upholding friendships. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Thomsson, Saga LU and Tostrup, Kalle
supervisor
organization
course
SANK03 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
socialantropologi, vänskap, migrant, ofrivillig ensamhet, runtflyttning
language
Swedish
id
9192849
date added to LUP
2025-06-05 12:08:46
date last changed
2025-06-05 12:08:46
@misc{9192849,
  abstract     = {{This study explores the challenges young adults with a migrant background face in relation to making friends in Sweden. It is based on fieldwork carried out at a venue we call “Mötesplatsen”, an NGO which aims to create a social and safe space for people with migration experiences. Through a person centered approach, specific individuals' experiences regarding overcoming loneliness and making friends are analysed. The empirical findings build upon participant observation, conversations and semistructured interviews with young adults with experience of migration at the venue. The Public Health Department in Sweden reveal that there might be a higher level of experienced loneliness amongst individuals born abroad, but the group is too small to be covered by their method. Thus, this study investigates the topic further with a qualitative method, especially focusing on making and upholding friendships. A majority of the study´s informants arrived throughout 2015 during what has since been called “the migration crisis”, which has been followed by significant reforms regarding Sweden's migration policies. This constitutes the context in which the study is conducted, and our informants' experiences are tied to what is at stake for them during different stages of citizenship. The study shows that situations of continuous upheaval through moving between different parts of Sweden, waiting and the migration process itself as well as the social space provided by the venue affect the outlook of making and upholding friendships.}},
  author       = {{Thomsson, Saga and Tostrup, Kalle}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Vänskapandets gränser - En socialantropologisk studie om utsikterna att skaffa vänner som individ med migrationsbakgrund i samtida Sverige}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}