Mellanförskap - svenskhet, ursprung och invandrarskap

Sammanfattning: The aim for this study was to examine betweenship as a phenomenon by focusing on identity. There is not very much research done on betweenship. I have used a qualitative phenomenological approach, based on four qualitative interviews. The four interviewees were all experiencing betweenship. To analyze their stories I used two theoretical frameworks; identity and affinity groups. According to these theories identity is shaped by an interaction between ascribed identity and experienced identity. The second procedure, to assign belongingness to an affinity group is often based on interpretations of symbolic objects. The results of this study suggest that betweenship is an interpersonal phenomenon created when others ascribe an identity that one doesn’t experience. There are primarily three groups whom others ascribe my respondents to; swedishness, an affinity group based on origin and one on immigrantness. The ascribing has resulted in these three groups that the respondents take into consideration in their conception of themselves. They are possessing symbolic objects which can derive them to all of the three affinity groups. Through the use of different types of expressions the respondents can announce belongingness to the group which they regard as relevant in the situation they face.