This thesis examines how biracial and multiracial individuals experience racial identity formation in Sweden. An investigation was conducted into their childhood and upbringing to explore how these experiences shape the way that their identity is formed. To arrive at the results of this dissertation, six individuals who self-identify themselves as Black biracial Swedes were recruited to participate in the data collection process.
This mean that this research has used primary tools such as semi-structured interviews to collect data from the participants. This study has used two contemporary positive theories of biracial and multiracial identity formation which are Poston’s Biracial identity model and Roots resolution for resolving otherness. Within these two theoretical frameworks, the research question and aim was answered through analysis of the respondents. Themes that were used to analyse the interviewees responses where alienation from racial identity, picking a side, language as identity and, familiar support and negative experiences. The results finding shows that most interviewees experience a challenge in the process of identifying themselves with a specific racial group leading to a development of a gap in the process of self- identification.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Problem Statement
1.2 Research Aim and Research Question
1.3 Key Terms and Concepts
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Biracial Identity Development: The Global Context
2.2 Biracial Identity Development: The Swedish Context
Chapter 3: Methodology
3.1 Constructivist Approaches
3.2 Qualitative Approaches
3.3 Recruitment and Analysis
3.4 Sample Demographics and Representativeness
3.5 Validity and Reliability
3.6 Limitations
3.7 Researcher Positionality
Chapter 4: Theoretical Framework
4.1 Poston’s Biracial Identity Development Model
4.2 Root’s Resolution for Resolving Otherness
4.3 Application
Chapter 5: Analysis
5.1 Alienation from Racial Identity
5.2 Picking A Side
5.3 Language as Identity
5.4 Familial Support and Negative Experiences
Chapter 6: Discussion and Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis investigates the racial identity formation experiences of Black multiracial individuals in Sweden. It explores how childhood and adult experiences contribute to the development of self-identity, specifically addressing the conflicts and resolutions faced within a context that often assumes ethnic homogeneity.
- Racial identity formation processes in Sweden
- Impact of childhood and adulthood experiences
- Application of Poston’s and Root’s identity models
- Challenges of self-identification and social categorization
- Role of familial support and language in identity construction
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Problem Statement
Sweden is now one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, well on par with countries like Canada and the United Kingdom (Hübinette and Arbouz, 2019). Although the national statistics database does not publish information on biracial individuals specifically, around a third of the population are born abroad or are born in Sweden and have one or two foreign-born parents as of December 31, 2019 (Statistiska Centralbyrån, 2020). Unlike many of the other ethnically diverse countries, however, there is the assumption that Sweden is an ethnically homogenous country (Hübinette and Arbouz, 2019). This stems from the fact that the ethnic diversity in the country seen today is a result of immigration in the 1980s and 1990s, rather than from a colonial legacy that dates back much further (Hübinette and Arbouz, 2019).
The fact that immigrants from Africa are a more recent phenomenon in Sweden means that much of the research on biracial identity outside of Sweden can be problematic to apply to this context. As immigration is more recent, there has been less time for interracial couples to form and have children, thus meaning that biracial identity is less embedded in Swedish culture than in some other places (Hübinette and Arbouz, 2019). Self-identification is the answer to “who am I?”, but it is also formed by attachments to others around us, which means that this needs to be taken into consideration when understanding how biracial individuals develop their identity (Myers, 2009).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction: Outlines the significance of self-identity and the research gap regarding biracial identity within the Swedish context.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: Examines global and Scandinavian perspectives on biracial identity development, highlighting existing theoretical models.
Chapter 3: Methodology: Details the qualitative, constructivist approach and the recruitment of participants for the study.
Chapter 4: Theoretical Framework: Introduces Poston’s Biracial Identity Development Model and Root’s Resolution for Resolving Otherness.
Chapter 5: Analysis: Analyzes interview findings through themes such as alienation, picking a side, language, and familial support.
Chapter 6: Discussion and Conclusion: Synthesizes the results, discusses the self-identification gap, and suggests areas for future research.
Keywords
Black multiracial Swedes, identity formation, race, ethnicity, biracial identity, Sweden, racial categorization, self-identification, Poston’s model, Root’s resolution, social constructivism, qualitative research, mixed-race experience, familial support, alienation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on how Black multiracial individuals in Sweden experience and form their racial identities.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key areas include the impact of childhood upbringing, social and familial influence, the role of language, and the challenges of being categorized in an ostensibly "colour-blind" Swedish society.
What is the research goal?
The main goal is to explore themes of biracial identity development in Sweden and identify the conflicts and resolutions that arise in this specific cultural context.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The study utilized a qualitative approach, employing semi-structured interviews with six participants and thematic analysis guided by constructivist ontological views.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The body analyzes the literature, establishes the theoretical framework using Poston and Root's models, and conducts a deep analysis of participant experiences regarding identity, alienation, and social categorization.
How would you characterize this work through keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as Black multiracial Swedes, identity formation, race, ethnicity, and racial categorization.
How does the Swedish context differ from other Western countries according to the author?
Sweden is described as having a unique challenge due to its history of perceived ethnic homogeneity and a "colour-blind" ideology that makes discussing race difficult compared to countries like the U.S. or U.K.
How did the researcher handle the "insider" positionality?
The researcher, being a parent of Black multiracial children in Sweden, acknowledged their position as an insider to gain trust and ask relevant questions while ensuring that only data from the respondents was used for the analysis.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Giovani Nkem Nzeafack (Autor:in), 2021, How do Black Multiracial Swedes Experience Racial Identity Formation in Sweden?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/997368
