A research project on undocumented children and adolescents in Gothenburg has received an unusual distribution: a play is now running at Backa Theater.
In the research project, for more than a year, social anthropologist Åsa Smith has met and interviewed 17 children and adolescents under the age of 18 who live in hiding in Gothenburg since their families’ asylum applications have been rejected. The study will provide an illustration of what risks these children and adolescents experience in their daily lives and what strategies they use to handle these risks.
In the research project, for more than a year, social anthropologist Åsa Smith has met and interviewed 17 children and adolescents under the age of 18 who live in hiding in Gothenburg since their families’ asylum applications have been rejected. The study will provide an illustration of what risks these children and adolescents experience in their daily lives and what strategies they use to handle these risks.
A unique project
It is the first time that a research project is monitoring so many undocumented children and adolescents over such a long time. The project is also unique by the children themselves largely being able to control their accounts of how they handle the risks of their families being discovered and deported. One of the children participating in the study has been involved in writing the script and is now also playing the lead role in the play about what it is like being a refugee in hiding and having to play the role of a regular child on the outside. The boy is 11 years old and loves soccer.
“To cope, children who live in an undocumented situation develop strategies that mean that they do not stand out from their surroundings. They become experts at appearing normal, but in some situations their strategies fall short,” says Åsa Smith.
Small children see the threats
The youngest children participating in the study were just six years old when the interviews were held.
“One six-year-old described the experience of a plain clothed police officer watching the schoolyard and following them when it was time to go home. The child then chose to go home to a friend instead. So we can see that even such young children are well aware of the threats to their family and have developed strategies to protect their relatives,” says Åsa Smith.
The performance at Backa Theater is followed by an audience discussion with invited guests. Henry Ascher and Åsa Smith, among others, have participated on several occasions.
“It’s usual for people to wonder if it’s really true that the police are allowed to pursue children, and the answer is unfortunately yes. I hope that the play and the hearing with politicians we are planning for this autumn will generate a debate about there not being any guarantee for the personal safety of undocumented children, even if they are entitled to both school and health care,” says Åsa Smith.
ABOUT THE PLAY
The play at Backa Theater is called “Rött kort – om att spela vanlig och vara gömd” [Red card – about playing normal and being hidden]. The play premiered on September 10, and will run until October 25.
You can read more about the play and book tickets here:
http://www.stadsteatern.goteborg.se/backateater/pa-scen/2014-2015/rott-kort/