Popularity, Gender, and Social Inclusion Among Girls in Ethnically Diverse Contexts in Norway

Abstract

This article discusses the phenomenon of popularity and its implications for gender construction, social inclusion, and gender equality among girls in two ethnically diverse contexts in Norway. At one field site, girls of immigrant origin were a majority, at the other they were a minority. Based on detailed ethnographic methodology and participant observation over time, this study shows that the crucial dimensions of popularity overlap with “economies of dignity” and vary according to whether the ethnic Norwegians are in a minority or majority position. The dimensions of popularity, which include the importance of attracting the male gaze, are connected to consumption. My results suggest that consumption influences girls’ construction of gender, and may have negative consequences for the inclusion of immigrant girls when in a minority, because they often live in low-income families. The article concludes that the overlap between the dimensions of popularity and the tokens of value of the economies of dignity underlines the importance of how power, through popularity, works among children. One implication of this power is that neither ethnic Norwegian girls nor girls of immigrant origin appear to live in a climate of gender equality.

Playing the complex game of social status in school – a qualitative study

“…It has previously been concluded that affluence may be especially central for girls’ social status and popularity as they seek to stay in touch with the latest fashions [ 19 , 30 , 33 ]. Rysst [ 48 ] concluded that popularity among girls is connected to consumption, which may have negative consequences for immigrant girls because they often live in low-income families.…”

Livsstil til salgs: om influensermarkedsføring på sosiale medier og hvordan ungdom påvirkes

“…Det kan likevel vaere problematisk at et slikt budskap leses utfra influensermarkedsføring. Tidligere studier viser at når forbruksvarer fungerer som statusmarkører, så kan de brukes for å signalisere popularitet blant norsk ungdom (Rysst, 2020). Ifølge Daloz (2010) kan det å vise frem eksklusive produkter for å signalisere sosial status vaere viktig for enkelte som bor i et samfunn som produserer overskudd.…”

New Approaches to the Study of Social Inclusion of Poor Children and Youth: A Commentary

“…However, "particular goods and experiences" that are "suddenly…fraught with meaning" are not easy to grasp for an outsider or researcher, and often demand a bottom-up methodology that includes long-time participant observation. In my experience, the distinctions in the hierarchies of children and youth are seldom revealed through interviews only (Rysst, 2020(Rysst, , 2022.…”