Norskhet i bevegelse

Abstract

What does it mean to be Norwegian, and who can call themselves Norwegian in today's globalized and multicultural Norway? These questions are increasingly being discussed in public discourse and social media channels. The authors of Norwegianness in Flux investigate how we define ‘Norwegianness’ and who has access to it, who is or is not recognized as Norwegian, and how frameworks for Norwegian identity are created, maintained, and challenged. An important premise for the authors is that people have a fundamental need for a sense of belonging.

A generation of children and young people with family backgrounds from other countries growing up in Norway today cannot be defined as somehow outside or separate from Norwegian society. For some, Norway is the only cultural frame of reference and only homeland they have known. The contributions in this anthology explore, critique, and expand our understanding of Norwegianness in today's heterogeneous society. The authors challenge notions of Norwegianness precisely by viewing Norwegianness as in a constant state of flux.

Norwegianness in Flux will appeal to researchers, practitioners and others interested in these issues. The book will also be relevant for students in the fields of social sciences, teacher training, child welfare, pedagogy, counselling, sociology, political science, childhood studies and social work, at universities and colleges in Norway and the other Nordic countries.