Framtidens resurs eller dagens problem? En studie om institutionens syn på ungdomar och dess effekter.
DichotomiesNew InstitutionalismMalmö municipalityYouth politicsContent analysisPolitical and administrative sciencesStatsvetenskapFörvaltningskunskapLaw and Political Science
AbstractIn this thesis we analyze how institutions describe the dichotomy between ?problem? and ?resource? when dealing with young adults. We also analyze the consequences of this dichotomy as it involves the younger generation's participation and group identity in today's society. Dichotomies and New Institutionalism Theory is the base for this case study completed in Malmö, Sweden. We have done eight qualitative interviews with politicians and employees in Malmö municipality and a quantitative content analysis of reference documents from both the Malmö and Swedish governments. The results of the study clearly point out that institutions are aware of the dichotomy involving young adults and that these institutions see them as ?problems? more than ?resources?. The study also reveals that when young adults are considered as a ?resource? it is often more diffuse. In both, reference documents and during the interviews, politicians and employees want to see young adults as a valuable resource but the result is usually the opposite. In addition, the study shows that young adults can be influenced by the way institutions label and generalize about the group, which can have adverse effects on their group identity and participation in society.