“Jag måste alltid visa mer än bara mitt utseende och min bakgrund” En kvalitativ studie om unga vuxna utrikesfödda kvinnors upplevelser av och strategier på den svenska arbetsmarknaden

Sammanfattning

Previous research has shown that, foreign-born women often meet structural challenges in thelabor market, including weak access to networks, discrimination, and recognition for previouswork experience. The purpose of this study aims to examine how young adult foreign- bornwomen experience their background effects, their work situation and opportunities in theSwedish labor market, and what strategies they use to navigate their background in professionallife. This qualitative study is based on seven semi- structured interviews with women aged20-25. Using thematic analysis and an abductive approach, made it possible to identify recurringpatterns in the women’s experiences and strategies. The analysis is guided by a theoreticalframework mainly based on Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of social capital, cultural capital andsymbolic capital and habitus, additional complementary perspectives of Granovetter’s networktheory, racialization and intersectionality to further provide deeper understanding of howbackground, social relations and unequal power structures influence women’s experiences in theSwedish labor market. The findings show that the women’s experiences are shaped by how theirbackground, social network and forms of capital are recognized in working life. Social networksare described as both a resource and limitation, while several women describe a need to provetheir competence more than others. Furthermore, the study shows that visible and invisiblemarks, such as language, name, clothing symbols influence how they are perceived and treated.In response, these women use two principle strategies: confrontation, by speaking up againstunfair treatment and strategic self-presentation. The study concludes by showing how women’sstructural barriers and personal strategies shape their experiences in the Swedish labour market.