Browsing by Subject "maahanmuuttajataustainen nuori"

Finnish grade school is becoming more and more multicultural due to increasing immigration. However, according to previous studies, the structures of our education system are not equal or do not support diversity. Purpose of this thesis is to study experiences of otherness of young people with immigration background. The object of the analysis is to clarify what kind of experiences of otherness and othering young people have encountered in secondary school and in home economic classes. By opening the experiences of otherness, the dismantling of distorted value structures can be promoted. Qualitative research data were collected in December-January 2021–2022. Eight young adults with an immigrant background participated to the interviews. The young adults were from the Helsinki metropolitan area. The themes of the interviews covered the use of the concept of immigrant, identity and citizenship, racism, discrimination, as well as time in secondary school and home economic classes. The interview material was analyzed with content and thematic method. According to the study, home economic classes were perceived as pleasant, and they promoted equality. However, element where the students' backgrounds would become more visible part of education were missed. By group division in home economic classes teacher can promote mutual respect between students. The functional structure of the learning content is suitable for practicing interaction skills. Racism and discrimination in schools were found to be difficult to deal with because they are not actively talked about within school culture. According to the study, students are powerless to express the racist, discriminatory, and unfair treatment they have faced in school. The study found that the use of a concept immigrant increases young people’s sense of otherness. The young people also felt that it was difficult for the representatives of the mainstream culture to accept their identification as Finns.