Mid Sweden University

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the process of identification of youths with an immigrant

background in Stockholm. The study utilized qualitative method, with theoretical application

of socialcontructionism from a circumstantialist perspective. The empirical data was collected

by conducting semi-structured interviews, which consisted of four male and four female

participants from two different upper secondaries in Stockholm. The participants were

between the ages of 17-19 years. The collected data were analyzed with an hermeneutic

approach, which gave the authors an insight of the participants own interpretation and

understanding, that in which were supported with quotations. The data illustrated that the

identification process of youths were fluid, and changed depending on the circumstances; and

the outcome sometimes differentiated depending on the gender. For instance, some of the

youths developed hybrid identities due to having to balance between the parents’ sociocultural

background and the dominant society they live in today. Furthermore, the collected

data were categorized with the following categories; socieconomical condition, sociocultural

status and migration background. The results showed the long term importance of the youth

identification process, since these young individuals are the ones that construct the future with

a sustainable society.