Crossing boundaries : Understanding the pro-asylum narratives of young Australians

Journal article

Laughland-Booÿ, Jacqueline, Skrbiš, Zlatko and Tranter, Bruce. (2016). Crossing boundaries : Understanding the pro-asylum narratives of young Australians. Ethnicities. 16(5), pp. 752-769. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468796815583341
AuthorsLaughland-Booÿ, Jacqueline, Skrbiš, Zlatko and Tranter, Bruce
Abstract

This paper uses interview data collected from young people in Queensland, Australia, to report the narratives of young Australians on the issue of ‘boat people’ and to explore the ‘accepting’ viewpoint. Consistent with existing literature, the ‘anti-asylum’ interviewees construct symbolic boundaries via language to justify why they believe exclusionary measures should be taken against asylum seekers who attempt to reach Australia by boat. In order to challenge this language of exclusion, our findings suggest the ‘pro-asylum’ participants adopt narratives aligned with the cosmopolitan principles of responsibility, openness and compassion. By doing so, they defend their belief that Australia’s obligations towards the broader global community should take precedence over any challenges ‘boat people’ present to the Australian nation.

Keywordsasylum seekers; symbolic boundaries; cosmopolitanism; acceptance; young people; Australia
Year2016
JournalEthnicities
Journal citation16 (5), pp. 752-769
PublisherSAGE Publications
ISSN1468-7968
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1468796815583341
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84988892469
Open accessPublished as green open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range752-769
ProjectOur Lives Project
FunderAustralian Research Council (ARC)
Research GroupSchool of Arts
Author's accepted manuscript
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Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online24 Apr 2015
Grant IDARC/DP0557667
ARC/DP0878781
ARC/DP130101490
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