Older Scandinavians in London

Transcription

1 Older Scandinavians in London Karen Christensen Invisible communities: Working with older people from Europe and beyond Wednesday 30 January 2013 A joint conference from: Making Research Count, Age UK London & Social Care Workforce Research Unit

2 The study Qualitative study aiming at giving insight into Scandinavian people s lived experiences of emigrating to and living in London (based on new empirical material about older Norwegian women) Method: Life course interviews to relate their individual biographies to certain historical circumstances (face to face interviews conducted in January 2013, lasting 1-5 hours) Thanks to Professor Jill Manthorpe and SCWRU. We acknowledge the contribution of the Policy Research Programme at the Department of Health for its support for the SCWRU

3 Old and new connections between Scandinavia/Norway and England The Scandinavian Vikings' invasion of Britain in the 8 th and 9 th century Leaving Scandinavian town names (e.g. Utterby, Selby, Linby) and words (husband from husbond ) Norway England: after WWII ferry connection between the Norwegian seaside towns: Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Bergen and Newcastle Today both modern Western European countries, although important differences, e.g. regarding welfare regime type

4 The project s empirical material life stories told by these women Name Age Home town Immigrated to England (age) Kari 67 Oslo 1964 (19) Hanne 67 Oslo 1970 (25) Isabel 82 Stavanger 1954 (23) Solveig 59 Bergen 1984 (31) Katrine 69 Tønsberg 1962 (19) Jannike 68 Haugesund 1964 (19) Inger 75 Bergen 1962 (25) Recruited from Norwegian organisations in London.

5 Emigration figures from Norway Total number from Norway Norwegian citizens ,148 6, ,240 8,560 1, ,766 7,850 1, ,758 7,328 1, ,355 7,804 1,774 To the UK/year (mean) Source: Statistics Norway

6 Scandinavians living in the UK today From Sweden 37,000 +/- 8,000 Estimated by the embassy: 50,000 70,000 From Denmark 17,000 +/- 6,000 Embassy: no numbers From Norway 14,000 +/- 5,000 Embassy: no answer Source: Office for National Statistics /workforce related figures, December 2011

7 About Norway The many small Norwegian villages: Only 5 million people scattered among 429 municipalities, Oslo biggest Only five municipalities more than inhabitants More than half of the municipalities have less than 5000 inhabitants (SSB 2012) The generation before the interviewees: Female roles: the housewife role in the 50s, then increasing work life participation starting in the 60s and 70s Male role: breadwinners (among them many working in the farming and fishery industry)

8 Female pathways to emigration What encouraged the women to emigrate to London? LOVE: in love with a man who wants to live in Britain START WORKING: Au pair in British households MORE FREEDOM: Finds London is attractive as an alternative to the very small and close Norwegian villages (e.g. easier to be a non-conformist in a big city) DISAPPOINTMENT: disappointed about Norwegian welfare services FATHER S FIRM BELIEF: e.g. that learning English is useful, European orientation (Exception: one father warns his daughter because of fog, working class people and the differences between high and low.)

9 Female life trajectories in change I: Traditional types There is nothing interesting about my story Au pair in England marriage (British or migrant) home with children (to avoid «nøkkelbarn») part time work retirement (more) voluntary work never back to Norway Marriage (British husband with high status work) home with children running household(s) and keeping the family together never back to Norway

10 II: A modern type of female life trajectory I did not come here because of marriage, but because I wanted to stay in this country Education (e.g. within health care) in Norway Choosing to go to London and work (e.g. in the health care sector) Marrying a man living in London Combining work and family when having children Working till retirement Intensifying voluntary work Choosing to stay in this country as this was the decision from the very beginning

11 No discrimination I have never experienced discrimination. Rather people find it exciting with someone from Norway. None of the interviewees experienced discrimination Exception: renting a property when married to a black man (Jannike) Norway unknown (less known than particularly Sweden)

12 Citizenship versus where to settle No thank you! Hvorfor skulle jeg det? [Why should I?] Jeg er norsk [I am Norwegian]

13 Norwegian diasporas transnational spaces Getting certain kind of work that requires Norwegian language skills or knowledge about Norway ( Goodbye England hello Norway ) Participating in Norwegian informal networks (e.g. early au pair networks developing lifelong friendships) Being member of a Norwegian community (using the church as a place to meet other Norwegian people and do voluntary work; their faith needs not be very important) Teaching children and grandchildren about Norway Having a Norwegian cottage to get The Norwegian injection (but then straight back to Britain!)

14 The Norwegian injection in the summer

15 Old age dependency I haven t thought about that No fear of getting old in Britain as long as they can avoid Homes for older people not impressed by Norwegian elderly care Children: expecting to get something back, e.g. in return for their help with grandchildren Economic resources and pensions (some of those with Norwegian work have got Norwegian wages and treated as Norwegian employees, therefore getting Norwegian pension) they can buy private help Specific plans an exception: getting a personal budget and employing a personal assistant, e.g. from Romania (Inger)

16 Conclusion: A migrant minority group with a different story Post war generation from a time where female roles are changing and welfare states developing The different migrant story: No convenient marriages but marriages of love No intention of getting a better life (from poor to rich country) No discrimination Conditions encouraging transnational settlement: Never leave Britain and never give up being Norwegian