Liminalities: expanding and constraining the options of Somali youth in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area

Authors

• Alitolppa-Niitamo Anne

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23979/fypr.44962

Keywords:

refugees, second generation, diaspora, ethnic reconstruction, Somali, generationin-between

Abstract

Somali youth, "the generation in-between", who arrived in Finland in their early teens or as teenagers in the 1990shave faced specific challenges in Somali diaspora in Finland. Their voice is often ambiguous in the processes of cultural construction and ethnic reconstruction. Dissonant acculturation and role reversal within the families and a family culture that emphasizes strong parental authority place these young people in a liminal position. Measures which balance the pace of the acculturation between the generations could alleviate the situation In addition, the diasporic consciousness and transnational activities among Somalis along with the ethos of 'integration' within the mainstream institutions challenge Somali youth. They may find themselves 'betwixt and between' various future orientations. This should be acknowledged in educational planning, for example. While liminal states may open up new opportunities, it is claimed that several simultaneous states of liminality may be confusing for a young person, and may create risks for becoming marginal from societal and cultural classifications, as well as limit a person from finding his/her own group of reference.