Exploring Norms About Citizenship in Stories of Young People with "Psychological Vulnerabilities"

This chapter explores how norms about citizenship come into play at a residence for young people with “psychological vulnerabilities” in Denmark. The theoretical framework consists of a difference-centred approach (Moosa-Mitha 2005), the concept of lived citizenship (Lister 2007), a narrative approach (Gubrium and Holstein 2009) and positioning theory (Davies and Harré 1990). Based on interviews and observations looking at stories of the young people and the staff members, the analysis is structured around two themes: “getting up in the morning” and improving social skills, which seem to refer to ideals about adulthood. Finally, the chapter discusses whether these norms are being challenged and the possible consequences of deviating from these ideals.