This PhD project delves into the experiences of young people growing up in multicultural environments and neighborhoods with reputation issues: How do they connect with people and places, and what thoughts do they have about their own identities — both in the real world and online?
Today, larger societal structures set certain guidelines for boys’ and girls’ social identities in different environments. But what do these structures look like from the perspectives of young people growing up today – in a time where increased digital presence has opened doors for new ways of self-expression and visibility?
In this project, we delve into the experiences of boys and girls growing up in multicultural environments and neighborhoods with reputation issues. We take a closer look at how they connect with people and places, and what thoughts they have about their own identities – both in the real world and online.
The project follows a qualitative, exploratory approach with repeated interviews and ethnographic fieldwork. The sample consists of boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 16 who all share the experience of growing up in a neighborhood often negatively portrayed. While much previous research has concentrated on young people in various districts of Oslo, this project extends beyond the city limits to shed light on different narratives.
By allowing participants to present themselves in ways not pre-determined by researchers, we aim to make room for a range of experiences and perspectives among today's young people. We take a closer look at how social identities are understood and embraced, and how boys and girls actively explore and negotiate these identities in various environments and contexts.
An important objective is to contribute nuanced insights to public discussions surrounding upbringing in multicultural environments and neighborhoods with reputation issues.
