The importance of absence in the present: practices of remembrance and the contestation of absences

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.What is missing, where and for whom? And how does that which is absent relate to the things and people that are present? This special issue of cultural geographies demonstrates the relevance of absence in its social and spatial dimensions. By focusing on that which does not claim physical presence, that which is missing or hiding, this issue demonstrates how an in-depth examination of the phenomenon of absence can provide stimulating vectors of analysis

Presenting the Absent : An Account of Undocumentedness in Sweden

This thesis provides an ethnography and critical phenomenology of undocumentedness in the Swedish context. By attending to the forces and processes that circumscribe the life-worlds of undocumented persons, as well as the phenomenology and essential experiences of their condition, a complex and multi-layered illustration of what undocumentedness is and means is successively presented. Employing a dual conceptualization of the state, as a juridico-political construct as well as a practiced and embodied set of institutions, the undocumented position emerges as a legal category defined only through omission, produced and reproduced through administrative routine and practice. The health care sector provides empirical examples of state-undocumented interaction where the physical and corporeal presence of the officially absent becomes irrefutable. This research suggests that the Swedish welfare state – universalistic, comprehensive and with digitized administrative routines – becomes a particularly austere environment in which to be undocumented. Drawing on interviews with regional and local health care administrators, NGO-clinics’ representatives and health professionals, as well as extensive participatory observation and interviews with undocumented persons, I argue that the undocumented condition is characterized by simultaneous absence and presence, and a correspondingly paradoxical spatiality. I suggest that the official absence and deportability of undocumented persons deprives them of the capacity to define space and, in an Arendtian sense, appear as themselves to others. There are, however, some opportunities for embodied political protest and dissensus. The paradoxical qualities of the absent-present condition manipulate the undocumented mode of being-in-the-world and I argue that alienation and disorientation are essential experiences of the undocumented situation.

Papperslösas rätt till vård : Bristen på lagstiftning lägger stort ansvar på vårdpersonalen

Undocumented migrants in Sweden have no regulated access to health care, but as legislation forbids anyone to be denied “immediate” care at their own expense when in need, this applies also to them. In lack of specific national regulations, local policies on the issue have been formed. This study, based on interviews with civil servants on the local levels and representatives of NGO clinics as well as the study of relevant national legislation and local policies, concludes that the local policies formed may be categorized into three groups: regulations that merely clarify the implications of current national legislation, regulations that incorporates the group “undocumented migrants” in “asylum seekers” and equates their entitlements, and finally, regulations that widen undocumented migrants’ access to health care from ”immediate” care to also include ”immediately necessary” care. These ambiguities put a heavy responsibility on the individual practitioner, and clearer, well-communicated regulations would help solve this situation.Papperslösa i Sverige har ingen reglerad tillgång till sjukvård, men kan, enligt hälso- och sjukvårdslagen inte nekas osubventionerad ”omedelbar” vård. Denna studie, baserad på intervjuer med sjukhus- och landstingstjänstemän samt studium av relevant lagstiftning och riktlinjer, ger en översikt över hur frågan hanterats lokalt i brist på nationell lagstiftning. 17 av 21 landsting har formulerat riktlinjer i frågan vilka kan grupperas som: ”förtydliganden av lagen”, inkorporering av papperslösa i gruppen asylsökande samt utökning av papperslösas rätt till vård till ”omedelbart nödvändig vård”. Oklar reglering lägger stort ansvar på den enskilda vårdgivaren, och situationen skulle underlättas med tydligare, väl kommunicerade riktlinjer

Papperslösas rätt till vård : Bristen på lagstiftning lägger stort ansvar på vårdpersonalen

Undocumented migrants in Sweden have no regulated access to health care, but as legislation forbids anyone to be denied “immediate” care at their own expense when in need, this applies also to them. In lack of specific national regulations, local policies on the issue have been formed. This study, based on interviews with civil servants on the local levels and representatives of NGO clinics as well as the study of relevant national legislation and local policies, concludes that the local policies formed may be categorized into three groups: regulations that merely clarify the implications of current national legislation, regulations that incorporates the group “undocumented migrants” in “asylum seekers” and equates their entitlements, and finally, regulations that widen undocumented migrants’ access to health care from ”immediate” care to also include ”immediately necessary” care. These ambiguities put a heavy responsibility on the individual practitioner, and clearer, well-communicated regulations would help solve this situation.Papperslösa i Sverige har ingen reglerad tillgång till sjukvård, men kan, enligt hälso- och sjukvårdslagen inte nekas osubventionerad ”omedelbar” vård. Denna studie, baserad på intervjuer med sjukhus- och landstingstjänstemän samt studium av relevant lagstiftning och riktlinjer, ger en översikt över hur frågan hanterats lokalt i brist på nationell lagstiftning. 17 av 21 landsting har formulerat riktlinjer i frågan vilka kan grupperas som: ”förtydliganden av lagen”, inkorporering av papperslösa i gruppen asylsökande samt utökning av papperslösas rätt till vård till ”omedelbart nödvändig vård”. Oklar reglering lägger stort ansvar på den enskilda vårdgivaren, och situationen skulle underlättas med tydligare, väl kommunicerade riktlinjer

Papperslösas rätt till vård : Bristen på lagstiftning lägger stort ansvar på vårdpersonalen

Undocumented migrants in Sweden have no regulated access to health care, but as legislation forbids anyone to be denied “immediate” care at their own expense when in need, this applies also to them. In lack of specific national regulations, local policies on the issue have been formed. This study, based on interviews with civil servants on the local levels and representatives of NGO clinics as well as the study of relevant national legislation and local policies, concludes that the local policies formed may be categorized into three groups: regulations that merely clarify the implications of current national legislation, regulations that incorporates the group “undocumented migrants” in “asylum seekers” and equates their entitlements, and finally, regulations that widen undocumented migrants’ access to health care from ”immediate” care to also include ”immediately necessary” care. These ambiguities put a heavy responsibility on the individual practitioner, and clearer, well-communicated regulations would help solve this situation.Papperslösa i Sverige har ingen reglerad tillgång till sjukvård, men kan, enligt hälso- och sjukvårdslagen inte nekas osubventionerad ”omedelbar” vård. Denna studie, baserad på intervjuer med sjukhus- och landstingstjänstemän samt studium av relevant lagstiftning och riktlinjer, ger en översikt över hur frågan hanterats lokalt i brist på nationell lagstiftning. 17 av 21 landsting har formulerat riktlinjer i frågan vilka kan grupperas som: ”förtydliganden av lagen”, inkorporering av papperslösa i gruppen asylsökande samt utökning av papperslösas rätt till vård till ”omedelbart nödvändig vård”. Oklar reglering lägger stort ansvar på den enskilda vårdgivaren, och situationen skulle underlättas med tydligare, väl kommunicerade riktlinjer

Om Sverige, svenskhet och de Andra i samhällsorientering för nyanlända

Samhällsorienteringskurser erbjuds nyanlända flyktingar för att ge dem grundläggande kunskap om Sverige och det svenska samhället. Syftet med Kim Silow Kallenberg och Erika Sigvardsdotters artikel är att analysera de bilder av Sverige, svenskhet och de Andra som framträder i kursernas undervisningsmaterial. Utifrån en narrativ ansats undersöks både berättelser och tystnader i materialet, där det som inte är uttalat förstås som en aspekt av berättelsen om Sverige och svenskheten. Materialet är både informativt och normerande, det beskriver både vad som är vanligt och vad som är önskvärt. Skrivningar om omständigheter där utrikesfödda kan bli förfördelade saknas i hög grad, samtidigt som sammanhang där utrikesfödda skulle kunna diskriminera eller skada någon annan beskrivs utförligt. Materialet kan därför tolkas som att det i första hand utgår från majoritetsbefolkningens perspektiv och behov, trots att det riktar sig till nyanländ

Parenthood after forced migration : A literature review

Parenting after forced migration carries specific challenges, especially during the first years – difficulties and trauma related to migration, adjusting to a new language, new norms and expectations, and leading a transnational life. This presentation is based on a literature review, with the aim to gather and synthesise existing research concerning the conditions for and experiences of parenthood among newly arrived forced migrants. Searches were conducted in Pubmed, Sociology collection and PsychInfo. In total, 27 articles were included. The result is reported as themes categorized as strengths and challenges for newly arrived parents. Themes under the category strengths are: health and social service, new possibilities, establishing oneself, and networks and family. In the category challenges are found: health, establishing oneself, socioeconomic status, and social networks and relationships. The importance of accurate information about, and access to, health care and social service where the specific situation of this group is taken into account was stressed. New possibilities relating to education and living in peace and freedom may arise from seeking refuge in a new country. However, many newly arrived parents have poor socioeconomic status. Worries relating to the migration process and residence status may make parenting more difficult. Family life and social networks are stressed as important factors for parenting. Supporting parents who have recently fled must involve both practical support, information and help with orientation in the new society, alongside established parental support programmes

Föräldraskap efter flykt till ett annat land : Kunskapssammanställning baserad på en kartläggande litteraturöversikt

Parenting after forced migration entails specific challenges, especially during the first years after flight, such as reception and social networks in the new country, socioeconomic situation, migration related difficulties, mental ill-health, discrimination, to learn a new language, new norms and expectations, and leading a transnational life. This report is a scoping review with the aim to compile and describe the existing knowledge about the experiences of newly arrived forced migrant parents, as well as key factors that affect parenting during the first year after having fled to another country. PubMed, Sociology Collection and PsychInfo were systematically searched. The report includes 27 articles. The result of the literature review was systematised into two main themes that were salient in the empirical material: strengths/possibilities and challenges. Strength/possibilities relate to four categories: health and social service, new possibilities, establishing oneself, and networks and family. Challenges relate to the four categories health, establishing oneself, socioeconomic status, and social networks and relationships. Many studies note the importance of access to, as well as accurate information about, health care and social services where the newly arrived parents' situation is taken into account. Fleeing to another country may mean possibilities such as education and to be able to live in peace and freedom. To be able to establish oneself in the new country is a supporting factor for parenting. Family life and social networks are also noted as central supporting factors. On the other hand, lack of information and poor treatment are barriers to access to health care. Several studies report on some form of mental ill health among the parents. To be subjected to new norms for parenting and experiences of discrimination are other challenges for these parents. Many newly arrived parents have low socioeconomic status. Worries related to residence permits may also affect parenting in a negative way. This scoping review shows that this group of newly arrived parents often lack the stability that the sedentary and settled groups may enjoy. There is a need for parenting support for this group that takes this into account. While not assuming that this group is homogenous, another challenge to consider is mental ill-health among newly arrived parents, not least related to unsafe living conditions and previous traumatic events.Att vara förälder i en familj som flytt innebär specifika utmaningar, särskilt under de första åren, såsom mottagande och socialt skyddsnät i det nya landet, socioekonomiska förutsättningar, migrationsrelaterade svårigheter, psykisk ohälsa, diskriminering, att tillgodogöra sig ett nytt språk, nya normer och förväntningar, samt att leva transnationellt. Denna rapport redovisar en kartläggande litteraturöversikt med syftet att sammanställa och beskriva den kunskap som finns om nyanlända föräldrars upplevelser och erfarenheter av föräldraskap, samt nyckelfaktorer som påverkar föräldraskapet under de första åren efter att ha flytt till ett annat land. Sökningar gjordes i Pubmed, Sociology collection och Psychinfo. Tjugosju artiklar inkluderades. Resultatet rapporteras som utmaningar och riskfaktorer i relation till kategorierna hälsa, etablering i det nya landet, socioekonomisk status samt sociala nätverk och familj, samt som möjligheter och skyddsfaktorer i relation till kategorierna hälsa och service, möjligheter i det ny landet, etablering i det nya landet och sociala nätverk och familj. Många studier lyfter vikten av tillgång till, samt god information om, hälso- och sjukvård och social service där nyanlända föräldrars förutsättningar tas i beaktande. Flykten till ett nytt land kan innebära nya möjligheter i form av utbildning och att få leva i fred och frihet. Likaså innebär en god etablering ett stöd i föräldraskapet. Familjelivet och sociala nätverk lyfts som centrala skyddsfaktorer. Brist på information om sjukvård och socialt stöd samt ett bristfälligt bemötande inom hälso- och sjukvården påverkar föräldrarnas tillgång till vård, och i många studier rapporteras någon form av psykisk ohälsa hos föräldrarna. Att förhålla sig till nya normer för föräldraskap samt upplevelser av diskriminering är andra utmaningar för föräldrarna. Många nyanlända föräldrar har även dåliga socioekonomiska förutsättningar. Oro kopplad till uppehållstillstånd kan också innebära begränsningar för föräldraskapet. Litteraturöversikten visar att denna grupp saknar stora delar av den stabilitet som ofta tas för givet för den mer långvarigt bosatta och/eller bofasta befolkningen. Det finns ett behov av insatser som tar hänsyn till detta. Likaså psykisk ohälsa bland flyktingföräldrar, inte minst relaterad till traumatiska upplevelser och otrygga levnadsvillkor, behöver tas hänsyn till i utformning av insatser, dock utan att anta att alla nyanlända föräldrar har samma behov.Den här rapporten är framtagen av Röda Korsets Högskola på uppdrag av Folkhälsomyndigheten.</p

Prevalence of torture and other war-related traumatic events in forced migrants : A systematic review

Aim: To describe and appraise the research literature reporting prevalence of torture and/or war-related potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) in adult forced migrants living in high-income countries. Methods: A search for peer-reviewed articles in English was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, PILOTS, key journals, and reference lists. Studies based on clinical samples and samples where less than half of participants were forced migrants were excluded. Data was extracted and a methodological quality appraisal was performed. Results: A total of 3,470 titles and abstracts were retrieved and screened. Of these, 198 were retrieved in full-text. Forty-one articles fulfilled inclusion criteria and the total number of study participants was 12,020 (median 170). A majority focused on specific ethnic groups or nationalities, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan being the most frequent. Reported prevalence rates of torture ranged between one and 76 % (median 27 %). Almost all participants across all studies had experienced some kind of war-related PTE. Conclusions: Reported prevalence rates of torture and war-related PTEs vary between groups of forced migrants. Trauma history was often studied as a background variable in relation to mental health. The heterogeneity of data, as well as the methodological challenges in reaching forced migrants and defining and measuring traumatic experiences, prevent generalisation concerning trauma history across groups