Unaccompanied children seeking asylum in Sweden : living conditions from a child centred perspective

Abstract

The article presents unaccompanied refugee children’s current situation in Sweden from a child-centred perspective. Interviews were conducted with 26 children. A key finding was that the way individuals perceived their situation was highly dependent on the status of their asylum application. In cases where all instances of the Swedish asylum process had been involved, the children described their situation as significantly difficult. At first, the children seemed satisfied with the fact that they had their human rights to housing, food, and support fulfilled. But on closer analysis of the interview answers it was revealed that many of the children’s existences were completely overshadowed by concern for the future and an underlying need of support. They described the asylum process as extremely worrying. Some children were not able to go to school, some felt offended when officials doubted their stories, and several children became sick after having their asylum application rejected. They emphasised that information from the authorities must be clear. Possible improvements in current practices are: continued information from authorities about the asylum case, more therapeutic care, and every day contact with supportive adults and friends.