Proposed Research Topic: Navigating Integration: Afghan Children and Youth in Sweden and
Norway – Intersections of Social Work Engagement, Family Dynamics, and Policy Implications
Migration continues to shape global societies by offering both economic and cultural benefits, while also presenting intricate challenges for individuals and host countries. The forced migration from Afghanistan, spurred by decades of conflict and instability, has led to substantial resettlement across Europe, particularly in Sweden and Norway. Within these contexts, Afghan children and youth stand out due to cultural markers such as their attire, physical appearance, and behavioral norms, which heighten their visibility and contribute to their experiences of otherness. These factors can increase their vulnerability to social exclusion, marginalization, and, in some cases, exposure to precarious environments.
This project investigates how Afghan refugee and migrant children and youth navigate the processes of integration within school, family, and social welfare settings in Sweden and Norway. Their daily experiences are shaped by a multitude of intersecting factors, including migration trajectories, acculturation pressures, and the negotiation of traditional family expectations alongside the norms of Nordic welfare societies. Furthermore, gender, age, and socio-economic background further diversify their pathways to either belonging or exclusion. Afghan families often maintain strong transnational ties and uphold cultural norms that significantly influence their children’s behavior and identity formation. Meanwhile, welfare institutions, schools, and social work professionals operate within frameworks that may not fully recognize the cultural and emotional complexities of migrant childhoods. Understanding these intersections is vital for enhancing inclusion policies and improving mental health and social support systems. Situated within the fields of social work and childhood studies, this research aims to generate insights that can inform more responsive institutional practices and integration strategies that benefit Afghan youth and other refugee-background youth in Scandinavia.
Main Research Question:
How do Afghan children and youth in Sweden and Norway experience and navigate their integration across school, family, and social welfare settings?