”We know what you need”: Construction and resistance of ”unaccompanied minors” at residential care units

The aim of the article is to highlight and analyse how ”unaccompanied minors” view the staff at the residential care units (called HVB) where they live. Through repeated qualitative interviews with twenty young individuals over more than a year, the researchers have captured central themes. One such theme is the experience of being defined as a child by the staff. This can be provocative for the young people who feel they are not being acknowledged as competent actors. Another central theme is being described as homogeneous and primitive, as a person that needs to be processed to live up to a desired Swedishness. The informants experience their treatment as children and undeveloped immigrants as a solid structure, a power system that is hard to question since it is so well institutionalized. The article also describes sanctions used by the staff to discipline the residents. Such sanctions are often directed at limiting the possibilities for the young people to participate in social activities, but also at increasing surveillance and documentation. It is difficult for these young people to openly resist since they do not want to be punished. Resistance, thus, becomes hidden. The informants’ experiences show how difficult it is to develop a social environment in which they can feel truly recognized by the staff as complete human beings with valuable competences.