Analysing the Norwegian media debates on negative social control. Women with Muslim backgrounds’ negotiations of citizenship as belonging, identity and participation

Abstract

This study aims to examine how public discourse and how portrayal of women with Muslim backgrounds, have consequences for citizenship in Norway. Growing scepticism towards immigrants, and stronger sense of islamophobia have characterised public debates. The debates have since the 2000’s frequently been connected to gender equality and the issue of women’s rights. Minority communities have been accused of being oppressive to women, and portrayals of women with Muslim backgrounds as passive victims have been visible in the debates. How does these portrayals affect women with Muslim backgrounds citizenship? To answer this question, I have analysed the recent years debates on negative social control. By using Carol Bacchi’s ‘What is the problem represented to be?’ framework for analysis., I analysed the discourses on negative social control, and how the contribute to portrayals of women with Muslim backgrounds. Within these discourses I found three dichotomies that as characterised the debates on social control. The dichotomies of 'Norwegian' culture and the culture of the others, active agents vs. passive victims, feminism and antiracism. These dichotomies have discursive consequences of how women with Muslim backgrounds are presented in the debates. However, a central aspect of the debates on negative social control was how a good number of women with Muslim backgrounds themselves participated in the debates. I found that, in their contributions to the debates, they have sought to challenge the before mentioned dichotomies, and in my interpretation succeeding. I argue that these discussions and the portrayals have implications for citizenship. By using a conceptualisation of citizenship based on identity, belonging and participation, women with Muslim backgrounds are making claims for and negotiating citizenship based on identity, belonging and participation, The women with Muslim background have disproven the dichotomies and the subsequent portrayals of women with Muslim backgrounds by negotiating and making claims for citizenship. By making their claims for and negotiating citizenship, they have expanded the boundaries for membership into the 'imagined' Norwegian community