Family Separation and Everyday (In)Security in the Lives of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors

Abstract

This article examines the impact of family separation on the organization of everyday security among unaccompanied refugee minors living in Finland. By focusing on the concept of everyday (in)security, this article analyses the consequences of the recent political decisions on young refugees’ family connections. The data in this study includes interviews among 16 Afghani, Iraqi, Ethiopian and Somali refugees who have attained residency in Finland and who are attempting to bring family members to the country via family reunification. The data is analysed using categorization analysis. I found four main ways though which young refugees establish security in their often insecure lives. First, the youth constructed collective identities which connected their lives with their transnational families and gave a purpose in life. Second, they turned to religion and created ontological securities. Third, the youth wanted to live ‘ordinary’ lives. Fourth, they also engaged in enacting political citizenship.