Work

Perceptions of belonging and school climate in diverse Finnish secondary schools

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate how students in culturally diverse lower secondary schools experience belonging and school climate. The data consist of group interviews with 55 students (14–16 years old). Regarding a sense of belonging, the students discussed inclusion, exclusion and discrimination. The school climate was experienced as highly positive but simultaneously chaotic. The students perceived ethnic diversity as accepted and a marker of inclusion, whereas non-binary gender identity was reported as a reason for exclusion, which may be related to this specific school context. To construct a positive school climate for diversity, more detailed attention must be paid to diverse identities.

Source: Finnish Journal of Social Research

DOI: 10.51815/fjsr.144754