Negotiating developmental projects: Unaccompanied Afghan refugee boys in Norway

Abstract

Unaccompanied refugee minors are, like other youngsters, making their moves towards adulthood, but under most challenging conditions. Informed by a cultural psychological approach to development, we analysed interviews with 18 unaccompanied Afghan boys and their professional caregivers. ‘Establishing a liveable life in Norway’ and ‘helping the family in the country of origin’ were analysed as central developmental projects for the boys, the former actively supported by the caregivers, the latter typically not. Considering what each individual is trying to achieve and how their projects are received by significant others sheds light on the boys’ struggles, as well as their coping.

Recognition in the lives of unaccompanied children and youth: A review of the key European literature

“…Anxiety while waiting, the fear of deportation and the frustration of being questioned seem to be consistent. Many studies in this review (Allsopp & Chase, 2019; Chase, 2010, 2013; Connolly, 2015; Herz & Lalander, 2017; Hopkins & Hill, 2010; Kalverboer et al, 2017; Lundberg & Dahlquist, 2012; Ní Raghallaigh, 2014; Omland & Andenas, 2018; O'Toole Thommessen et al, 2015; Sedmak & Medarić, 2017; Sinha & Uppal, 2009) illustrated how waiting for their future to be determined caused feelings of frustration, fear and mistrust in the unaccompanied children and youth. Often, the structures of asylum processes are displayed as multiple, unexpected changes in the lives of unaccompanied children and youth.…”

“…Many of the studies reviewed presented unaccompanied children and youth as rather satisfied with the reception structures and procedures they encountered, especially when the focus was on the systems that secure children's basic needs, such as safety, shelter and food. However, many studies suggested the systems seemed to overlook other essential needs, such as full access to medical help while still waiting for the residency permit (Connolly, 2015; Lundberg & Dahlquist, 2012; Sedmak & Medarić, 2017; Sinha & Uppal, 2009); stable, caring, family‐like relationships (e.g., De Graeve & Bex, 2016; Eide, Lidén, Haugland, Fladstad, & Hauge, 2018; Herz & Lalander, 2017; Omland & Andenas, 2018; Wernesjö, 2015); social support and educational guidance (De Graeve & Bex, 2017; Oppedal, Guribye, & Kroger, 2017; Pastoor, 2015); and being heard and seen as unique individuals (e.g., De Graeve & Bex, 2017; Deveci, 2012; Kaukko & Wernesjö, 2017). According to some studies, the structures and procedures also tended to homogenize unaccompanied children and youth, for example, according to their legal status or age, while failing to recognize the diversity among this group (De Graeve & Bex, 2016, 2017; Derluyn, 2018; Kaukko & Wernesjö, 2017).…”

“…Several young people noted that even though they were surrounded by people, they missed their families and friends and wished to have someone in their lives they could lean on and trust (Bjerneld, Ismail, & Puthoopparambil, 2018; Chase, 2013; Deveci, 2012; Eide et al, 2018; Eriksson & Hedberg Rundgren, 2019; Gustafsson et al, 2012; Herz & Lalander, 2017; Lundberg & Dahlquist, 2012; Ní Raghallaigh, 2011, 2014; Ní Raghallaigh & Gilligan, 2010; Omland & Andenas, 2018; O'Toole Thommessen et al, 2015; O'Toole Thommessen, Corcoran, & Todd, 2017; Pastoor, 2015, 2017; Wernesjö, 2015). Many of the studies also illustrated how some of the participants had little or no contact with local residents outside their living units (Gustafsson et al, 2012; Herz & Lalander, 2017; Lundberg & Dahlquist, 2012; O'Toole Thommessen et al, 2017; Pastoor, 2017; Sedmak & Medarić, 2017; Wernesjö, 2015), despite their desire to make connections and form friendships with people in the local community (Bitzi & Landolt, 2017; Omland & Andenas, 2018; Pastoor, 2017; Sedmak & Medarić, 2017; Wernesjö, 2015). Some were not able to create trusting relationships, even after living in the host country for years (Ní Raghallaigh, 2014), which may add to their feelings of displacement (Wernesjö, 2015) and constrain feelings of self‐confidence.…”

“…From the perspective of the love mode of recognition, it is vital that unaccompanied children and youth retain strong transnational ties. Many of the unaccompanied children and youth had a strong desire to hold on to recognitive relationships with their families, with the hope of meeting them again one day (Eide et al, 2018; Herz & Lalander, 2017; Lundberg & Dahlquist, 2012; Omland & Andenas, 2018; Wernesjö, 2015) and being able to help the distant families financially (Omland & Andenas, 2018). Eide et al (2018), Lundberg and Dahlquist (2012) and O'Toole Thommessen, Corcoran and Todd (2015) also described how many unaccompanied children and youth greatly feared for and worried about the well‐being of their distant families.…”

“…All these changes constrain possibilities for experiencing stable, trusting relationships and being recognized (Chase, 2013; Connolly, 2015; Crawley, 2011; Sedmak & Medarić, 2017; Sinha & Uppal, 2009). This may result in the loss of motivation to study or plan for the future, as the future remains uncertain (Chase, 2010, 2013; Kalverboer et al, 2017; Lundberg & Dahlquist, 2012; Omland & Andenas, 2018; Sedmak & Medarić, 2017; Sinha & Uppal, 2009).…”