Browsing by Subject "Hallintavalta; hallinnan analytiikka; terapeuttinen valta; turvapaikanhakijat; pakolaiset"

The researchers in the field have continued the work of Foucault and indicated that the rationality of the welfare state has given way to the neo-liberal rationality. The analytics of governance aims to reveal the underlying power relations and mechanisms of governance that draws our attention to the individual, away from the structures. Collective care is decreasing when the individual is held accountable and tempted to shape herself/himself into an ideal citizen for the workforce. Therapeutic power is also used in this process. These kinds of elements have been found also in the youth support systems by researchers. In this study I aimed to discursively locate this kind of means and mechanisms in the work that is done among separated and unaccompanied adolescents.In this study I explored what kind of power can be found behind the governing of this care. I presented the following research questions: 1) what kind of governance do the support systems of adolescents who have come as asylum seekers represent and 2) what kind of subjectivities are produced within that governance? The research data consisted of both written material and material produced specifically for this thesis. I used two handbooks written by authorities as well as materials produced in projects (5) by civil society organisations. I interviewed five professionals working with separated/unaccompanied children and young people in a group session. I applied analytics of governance and attached myself to the tradition of discourse analytical thinking where discourse is seen to produce reality, not only reflecting reality. My approach was not to study how language is used, but rather to find support from post-structuralist and Foucauldian thinking. From this point of view, I analysed discursive practices that are present in the support systems of separated/unaccompanied young people. Control techniques shaped by neoliberal rationality could be found in the support systems of separated and unaccompanied young people. They were same type of techniques as in the projects targeted to young people to prevent their social exclusion analysed by Finnish researchers earlier. Adolescents were offered subjectivities where they are seen as vulnerable, at risk of being marginalized and psychologically symptomatic. I found mechanisms of governance in the support systems which are apt to turn the eye on the individual – away from structural factors. Especially adolescents coming from collective cultures find themselves in an inconsistent situation while staying in Finland alone, without the support received from the community and family.