The Experience of Recognition and Belonging in Group-Settings: The Neighbourhood Mothers
Author
Thygesen, Christina
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-10-14
Pages
69
Abstract
This thesis explores why and how women with ethnic minority backgrounds engage as volunteers in the Danish integration initiative Neighbourhood Mothers, and what resources, challenges, and experiences of recognition and belonging arise through their mentoring work. Using a Heideggerian phenomenological approach and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith & Osborne, 2003), the study is based on semi-structured interviews with three women from the same local group. The theoretical framework spans social identity (Jenkins; Tajfel & Turner), recognition (Honneth), and migrant women’s citizenship (Erel). The analysis indicates that collective identification can enable social mobility and provide resources to support other women, while self-reflection helps participants negotiate gendered and racialized discourses. Findings suggest that the women experience recognition, increased self-confidence, and a strong sense of belonging through mentoring; care is a central motivator in their engagement. Group relations foster connectedness and help them articulate their views. The women are motivated by a desire to assist others facing similar circumstances and perceive their work as contributing to society, promoting integration, and strengthening women’s capacities.
Afhandlingen undersøger, hvorfor og hvordan kvinder med etnisk minoritetsbaggrund engagerer sig som frivillige i den danske integrationsindsats Neighbourhood Mothers, samt hvilke ressourcer, udfordringer og erfaringer med anerkendelse og tilhørskab der opstår i arbejdet som mentorer. Med en heideggeriansk fænomenologisk tilgang og Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith & Osborne, 2003) bygger studiet på semistrukturerede interviews med tre kvinder fra samme lokale gruppe. Det teoretiske rammeværk omfatter social identitet (Jenkins; Tajfel & Turner), anerkendelse (Honneth) og migrantkvinders medborgerskab (Erel). Analysen viser, at kollektiv identifikation kan skabe social mobilitet og ressourcer til at støtte andre kvinder, samtidig med at selvrefleksion hjælper de interviewede med at forhandle kønnede og racialiserede diskurser. Resultaterne peger på, at kvinderne gennem mentorarbejdet oplever anerkendelse, øget selvtillid og et stærkt tilhørskab; omsorg er en central drivkraft i deres engagement. Relationerne i gruppen skaber forbundethed og gør det lettere at formulere egne standpunkter. Kvinderne motiveres af ønsket om at hjælpe andre, der står i lignende situationer, og de oplever, at indsatsen bidrager til samfundet, fremmer integration og styrker kvinders kapaciteter.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]