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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the identity development of second-generation immigrants and gain a deeper understanding of how they develop their identity by navigating between their parents' culture and Swedish culture. The study had the following research question: In what way do second-generation immigrants develop their identity with regard to their parents' culture and Swedish culture?The method used in the study was semi-structured interviews with five participants from Södertälje municipality, all of whom belonged to second-generation immigrants. To analyze the data, various theories were used, including Goffman's theories of roles and stigma as well as Tilly's theory of inequality.The results of this study showed, among other things, that the respondents in the study do not feel completely at home in either of the two cultures they identify with. Their identity formation is affected by the degree of cultural affiliation, where they feel a stronger connection to their parents' culture while experiencing a stronger belonging to Sweden as a country. Although they are well integrated into Swedish culture, they are always considered immigrants and feel like "visitors" in their own homeland. Respondents also experience a feeling of not belonging to any specific culture, which reinforces their bond with their parents' culture of greater acceptance. They describe themselves as a hybrid of the two cultures and experience difficulties in fully integrating into either of them.