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Crossing boundaries : Understanding the pro-asylum narratives of young Australians
Laughland-Booÿ, Jacqueline Skrbiš, Zlatko Tranter, Bruce
Laughland-Booÿ, Jacqueline
Skrbiš, Zlatko
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.
Keywords
asylum seekers, symbolic boundaries, cosmopolitanism, acceptance, young people, Australia
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Ethnicities
Book
Volume
16
Issue
5
Page Range
752-769
Article Number
ACU Department
Research Office
Non-faculty
Non-faculty
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Controlled
Open
Open