Passar jag in? : Nyanlända ungdomars möte med idrottsundervisning

Sammanfattning: The present study deals with newly arrived young people’s perceptions of Physical Education and Health (PEH). Many in this group are not familiar with the culturally specific elements of Swedish PEH. The study highlights the meanings they attach to participation in PEH and the consequences on their participation in PEH. The study is based on qualitative interviews with six young immigrants in a medium sized city in Sweden. They have come from different countries, have different religions and are of different genders. The results have been interpreted using Dewey’s pragmatic transactional approach. Some results from the study are that school PEH is an important activity for the interviewees offering opportunities, new contacts, improvement of language and other skills. Their narratives indicate that their physical health does not constitute a limitation but rather an opportunity to participate in PEH. On the other hand, certain aspects of their psychological and social health may sometimes constitute limitations to their participation in PEH. The girls are affected both by the market forces norm that tells that they should be nice and sweet and of their own cultural norm that tells that they should not be too physically active. It is easier for the boys than the girls in the study to participate in sports both in school and during leisure time. On the basis of the results of the study and of previous research, the discussion suggests ways of facilitating this group’s participation in PEH, the important point being that they should be treated as individuals.