“Second Generation” - A participatory development of initiatives for second-generation youth

Young people of so-called "second generation" (born and/or socialized in the country of residence) are often in the spotlight of public and media discourse, which is frequently framed in negative terms. At the same time, it is evident that there are still too few scientific studies in Switzerland focusing on adolescents and young adults with a migration history.

The biographies, life worlds, and everyday challenges faced by young people of the so-called “second generation” have so far received limited attention. Yet adolescents and young adults with a migration history form a large and important part of Swiss society. Recognising and taking their life situations into account is crucial for their social participation and inclusion.

Adolescence and the transition to adulthood represent a particularly challenging phase for all young people. However, second-generation youth often face specific challenges related to growing up in transnational social contexts. Growing up in transnational settings requires young people to navigate between different social norms, expectations, and cultural patterns. This can be challenging, but it is also an often underestimated resource.

Navigating and expanding one’s capacity to act within these complex transnational contexts can lead to tensions and conflicts – with family members, peers, or even within oneself. At the same time, young people acquire multiple “cultural repertoires” (Levitt, 2009), which they can strategically draw upon to deal with the challenges they encounter in their everyday lives.