Fragmentation of Hope through Tiny Acts of Bureaucratic Cruelty - Another Kind of War on Afghan People Seeking Asylum in Sweden

This article analyzes the micro-powers of Swedish “cruel” and “non-cruel” bureaucrats using various logics of control, “tiny acts” enacted with pens, computers, and imposed assignments to condition asylum-seeking peoples’ lives and fragment their hope. Based on interviews with asylum-seeking Afghans and observations of their meetings with authorities, I argue that the bureaucratic treatment of Afghans in Sweden is a form of state-sanctioned racist violence and “departheid” executed to exclude discredited people from the welfare state. The article draws attention to a rapid downhill slide regarding asylum rights in Sweden since 2015 and the harm caused to asylum-seeking people

Morgenrøde

Anders Elsrud Hultgreen: fra Morgenrøde (2014)

Morgenrøde

Anders Elsrud Hultgreen: fra Morgenrøde (2014)

Transformation and time-out: the role of alcohol in identity construction among Scottish women in early midlife

Despite the increase in drinking by women in early midlife, little alcohol research has focused on this group. We explore how alcohol is associated with the construction of gender identities among women aged 30 to 50 years in the west of Scotland, United Kingdom. We draw on qualitative data from 11 focus groups (five all-female, six mixed-sex) with pre-existing groups of friends and work colleagues in which women and men discuss their drinking behaviours. Analysis demonstrated how alcohol represented a time and space away from paid and unpaid work for women in a range of domestic circumstances, allowing them to relax and unwind. While women used alcohol to construct a range of identities, traditional notions of femininity remained salient (e.g. attention to appearance, drinking ‘girly’ drinks). Drinking enabled women to assert their identity beyond the roles and responsibilities often associated with being a woman in early midlife. For example, some respondents with young children described the transformative effects of excessive drinking which allowed them to return temporarily to a younger, carefree version of themselves. Thus, our data suggest that women's drinking in early midlife revolves around notions of ‘idealised’ femininity but simultaneously represents a way of achieving ‘time out’ from traditional female responsibilities such as caring for others. We consider these findings within a broader social and cultural context including alcohol marketing, domestic roles and motherhood and their implications for health promotion

Time, tourism consumption and sustainable development

The availability of time has played a pivotal role in the analysis of tourism. An examination of social theory and time suggests that tourists experience time in multiple ways, which has implications for the traditional temporal and spatial reference frame. This article calls for a better understanding of 'time' in tourism and sets the agenda for further research into time and the sustainable development of tourism. It analyses the role of time in shaping tourism consumption and illustrates the challenges posed by new temporal understandings and distance concepts to create less greenhouse-gas-dependent tourism in our society. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

From permanent to temporary : A qualitative study of temporary residence permits in relation to public and voluntary social work

In the summer of 2021, the Swedish government made changes to the Aliens Act (2005:716) to where it is no longer possible for asylum seekers to receive permanent residency. Temporary residency had at that time already been on trial for five years during the temporary law (Act (2016:752) on temporary restrictions on the possibility of obtaining a residence permit in Sweden). For the last six years, most asylum-seekers who have had their cases approved have received temporary residency and not permanent, making this new restriction well-known among both public and voluntary social workers. The purpose of this study has been to analyze the consequences of recently introduced temporary residence permits for both public and voluntary social work related to newly arrived people’s establishment in Swedish society. The purpose also includes an analysis of how social workers in the public and voluntary sector view the significance of temporary residence permits for newly arrived people’s living conditions and what possible challenges temporary residency pose to social work. A qualitative interview study consisting of interviews with four experienced social workers, involved in both public and voluntary social work, has been used to fulfil the purpose. The findings show that all interviewees find temporary residence permits and related waiting times and demands on asylum-seekers to support themselves as harmful to former asylum-seekers, making it more difficult for their establishment and for individuals to move on with their lives. Therefore, this study suggests that the control and regulation of asylum-seekers can be seen as a process of social exclusion and as an example of bureaucratic violence. The findings also show that the difficult conditions for these people pose several challenges to both public and voluntary social work aiming to support and help newly arrived people to good health and establishment in society. One important role for social work in this situation is to strive towards recognition of both the difficulties newly arrived people meet and of their value as human beings and individuals

Main determinants of corporate debt structure and investigation of 'fallen angels' : evidence from the Nordic countries

The objective to this thesis is to examine which measurable firm variables that are the main determinants of corporate debt structure amongst Nordic rated companies, and if "fallen angel" companies experience an alteration to their debt structure once downgraded. Previous studies have indicated several coherences that are proven valid for mainly the US market. Our study seeks to examine if these coherences also are applicable to the Nordic countries, and if there are other present determinants that are not discussed in previous empirical literature. On the basis of several univariate and multivariate regression models and tests, we have found evidence that support profitability, firm size, intangible assets and rating to play an integral part in determining corporate debt structure. Our results indicate that each of them is influencing the utilization of different types of instruments. However, our research does not indicate any significant changes in debt structure when "fallen angels" are downgraded