Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This article explores the relationship between Jewishness and the state of Israel and looks at the\nemotional impact on the Jewish youth and diaspora in Sweden, as expressed in eight interviews\nwith young Jews. Emotions are examined through narrative analysis, guided by Arlie\nHochschild’s understanding of feeling rules and emotion management together with Pierre\nBourdieu’s theory on Habitus. This study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of\nemotions managed in the everyday life of marginalized groups. The findings suggest that\nemotion management is influenced not only by the social context but also rooted in habituated\npractices through past knowledge, memories, and collective trauma. When situated in contexts\nperceived as hostile, respondents became aware of their habitus and used multiple strategies in\nthe interplay between maintaining Jewish identity in Sweden while challenged by the criticism\nagainst Israel. Strategies included humor, distancing themselves emotionally or evoking\nemotions according to feeling rules. When unsuccessful, this created a position of uncertainty,\na “cleft habitus”. This could allow a positive and empowering resource, while also causing\nemotional pain.
Author: Larsson, Nadia
Language: English
Topic: Jewish Identity and Society
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7028142242